The pituitary-adrenal axis in idiopathic retinal vasculitis. Issue 12 (1st December 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palmer, H E; Stanford, M R; Lowy, C; Wheeler, M J; Wallace, G R; Graham, E M
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 83:Issue 12(1999)
• Page Start: 1393
• Page End: 1395
• Publication Date: 1999-12-01
• Subjects: retinal vasculitis -- adrenocortical hormones; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.83.12.1393
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : AIMS: To determine whether patients with idiopathic retinal vasculitis have altered production of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), and whether differences in these variables occur between those who are sensitive (SS) and resistant (SR) to steroids. METHODS: 20 patients with retinal vasculitis (off treatment) and 10 control subjects were prospectively recruited. Morning cortisol and DHEA-S levels were measured, and cortisol secretion rates and short synacthen tests (SST) carried out in patients before treatment, when on prednisolone 20 mg/day, and in controls. RESULTS: There were no differences in any variables between patients and controls. For retinal vasculitis patients pretreatment, the SST was lower in SR patients (p=0.02). More of the SR patients had ischaemic retinal vasculitis ( p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cortisol and DHEA-S are not involved in the pathogenesis of retinal vasculitis. SR in retinal vasculitis may be associated with a defective hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.