Supraneal cortisol function in atopic dermatitis

ABSTRACT

This work was done to study the basal secretory pattern in atopic dermatitis, by determining the basal morning and afternoon plasma cortisol levels and also to study the adrenocortical reserve in those patients using a synthetic Corticotrophin. Thirty cases of atopic dermatitis were included in the study, together with twelve normal controls. They were all subjected to estimation of their cortisol levels in the morning and afternoon and also to the long acting synacthen stimulation test. Our results can be summarized as follows 1- The basal afternoon and morning plasma cortisol levels were within normal range in atopic dermatitis patients as compared with the normal group. The diurnal rhythm in atopic cases was maintained. 2- After administration of ACTH a statistically significant prolonged rise of plasma cortisol level was seen if compared to the control group. 3- Our results suggest that there may be either a retardation in the metabolic pathway of ACTH in the atopic dermatitis cases which leads to maintained responsiveness of the adrenal cortex, or the suprarenal of the atopic dermatitis cases may be more sensitive to ACTH leading to prolonged responsiveness of the adrenal cortex. However more study of the adrenal cortex in atopic dermatitis patients has to be done