Diagnostic accuracy of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and corticotropin in autonomous cortisol secretion

Lindsay E. Carafone, Catherine D. Zhang, Dingfeng Li, Natalia Lazik, Oksana Hamidi, Maria Daniela Hurtado, William F. Young, Melinda A. Thomas, Benzon M. Dy, Melanie L. Lyden, Trenton R. Foster, Travis J. McKenzie, Irina Bancos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) affects up to 50% of patients with adrenal adenomas. Despite the limited evidence, clinical guidelines recommend measurement of serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and corticotropin (ACTH) to aid in the diagnosis of ACS. Our objective was to determine the accuracy of serum concentrations of DHEA-S and ACTH in diagnosing ACS. We conducted a retrospective single center study of adults with adrenal adenoma evaluated between 2000−2020. Main outcome measure was diagnostic accuracy of DHEA-S and ACTH. ACS was defined as post-dexamethasone cortisol >1.8 mcg/dL. Of 468 patients, ACS was diagnosed in 256 (55%) patients with a median post-DST cortisol of 3.45 mcg/dL (range, 1.9–32.7). Patients with ACS demonstrated lower serum concentrations of DHEA-S (35 vs. 87.3 mcg/dL, p < 0.0001) and ACTH (8.3 vs. 16 pg/mL, p < 0.0001) compared to patients with non-functioning adrenal tumors (NFAT). Serum DHEA-S concentration <40 mcg/dL diagnosed ACS with 84% specificity and 81% PPV, while serum ACTH concentration <10 pg/mL diagnosed ACS with 75% specificity and 78% PPV. The combination of serum concentrations of DHEA-S <40 mcg/dL and ACTH <10 pg/mL diagnosed ACS with the highest accuracy with 92% specificity and 87% PPV. Serum concentrations of DHEA-S and ACTH provide additional value in diagnosing ACS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number741
JournalBiomedicines
Volume9
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2021

Keywords

  • Adrenal adenoma
  • Adrenal mass
  • Dexamethasone suppression test

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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