Rapid Functional Suppression of the Adrenal Cortex Due to Prednisone Therapy

Abstract

SINCE Ingle's1 observation that long-term administration of adrenocortical extract results in atrophy of the adrenal cortex in animals, it has been recognized that corticosteroid-induced adrenocortical atrophy is one of the most undesirable side effects of corticosteroid therapy in man.2 In a recent study, Marks and his associates3 demonstrated that patients who have been receiving corticosteroids for a period of four to six months or longer have a markedly diminished adrenocortical capacity to respond to the stimulus either of exogenous ACTH or of a major surgical procedure.3 However, their data did not reveal how rapidly depression of adrenal function can occur . . .