Glucocorticoid deficiency of the adrenal cortex in chronic liver diseases

AIM: The study of blood levels of hydrocortisone and ACTH in patients with chronic hepatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood levels of hydrocortisone and ACTH were measured in 198 patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) of different etiology and severity and in 39 healthy controls. RESULTS: Blood hydrocortisone was subnormal while ACTH elevated in all the patients except those with chronic hepatitis running a favorable course. Changes in the hydrocortisone and ACTH content were the greatest in CLD of viral and autoimmune etiology, the least--of alcoholic etiology. CONCLUSION: Hydrocortisone deficiency was most prominent in severe hepatic lesions.