Endocrine Abstracts

Use of medical detection dog to improve hypoglycaemia awareness has been documented. However the data remain limited for people with adrenal insufficiency. We collected data retrospectively and prospectively on the episodes of low cortisol events initiated by medical detection dog and quality of life of 3 people with adrenal insufficiency before and started on continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion (CSHI) to correlate it with our Addison’s Quality of Life scores....

The Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT) is the gold standard test to assess growth hormone (GH) and ACTH reserve. This dynamic test induces hypoglycaemia and is commonly performed by endocrine nurses using different insulin doses -commonly 0.15 U or 0.10 U/kg. As part of a quality and safety improvement initiative we conducted a retrospective study to address several questions relating to ITT insulin dose. ITT results (n=148) were retrieved from two large endocrine testing c...

Subcutaneous hydrocortisone (HC) infusion using continuous (CSHI) and pulsatile (PSHI) regimes are treatment options for adrenal insufficiency. It is an off-labelled treatment in UK for patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). We surveyed 8 cohorts via Cortisol Pump UK support group in Facebook to capture their data in the following area: Quality of Life AddiQoL scores 24 h infusion doses & type of...

Real life experience of 8 people with adrenal insufficiency using subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion in continuous and pulsatile regimens recruited through hydrocortisone pump support groupBackground: Subcutaneous hydrocortisone (HC) infusion using continuous (CSHI) and pulsatile (PSHI) regimes are treatment options for adrenal insufficiency. It is an off-labelled treatment in UK for patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI).Both ...

We examined online questionnaire responses received Dec 2017 – Jan 2018 from a sample of well-informed adrenal patients belonging to the Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group (N=374). ADSHG members reported levels of preparedness to self-manage during adrenal emergencies that were strikingly higher than any UK clinic survey.• 88% reported wearing medical jewellery• 80% had an in-date injection kit with them at the t...

Continouos subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion (CSHI) is a novo treatment for adrenal insufficieny. This treatment aim to mimic body circadian rhythm by providing a continouos slow infusion subcutanously.We summarise our experience with 5 patients: 1 with primary adrenal insufficiency and 4 with secondary adrenal insufficiency. There are 1 male and 4 females with a mean age 31. All these patients were self referred and have tried ...

Continouos subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion (CSHI) is a novo treatment for adrenal insufficieny. This treatment aim to mimic body circadian rhythm by providing a continouos slow infusion subcutanously.We summarise our experience with 5 patients: 1 with primary adrenal insufficiency and 4 with secondary adrenal insufficiency. There are 1 male and 4 females with a mean age 31. All these patients were self referred and have tried ...

We adapted holistic needs assessment tool used in oncology setting to create a simple tool to assess the learning need of people with adrenal insufficiency. This simple tool consists of 17 items and it allows endocrine nurse educators to obtain a quick assessment on the self-care management knowledge and skill of people with adrenal insufficiency before embarking on adrenal education.The tool 17 items are:Understanding of adrenal i...

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive cancer of adrenal glands with an incidence worldwide around 0.7–2 cases per million per year in adult populations. The median age at diagnosis is 56 years old, with women and white Caucasians being more frequently affected. Overall median survival rate can be as low as 17 months with 5-year survival rate around 31.2%. Our systematic review identified the lack of qualitative study on the experiences of ACC...

Context: Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare cancer with an annual incidence of 0.7-2 cases per million population and 5-year survival of 31.2%. Adrenal insufficiency is a common and life shortening complication of ACC and little is understood about how it impacts on patients.Objective: To understand patients’ experience of the condition, its treatment, care process, impact of AI on ACC wellbeing, self-care needs and support.De...