Clinical Research Directory

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety Profile of Understudied Drugs Administered to Children Per Standard of Care (POPS)

The study investigators are interested in learning more about how drugs, that are given to children by their health care provider, act in the bodies of children and young adults in hopes to find the most safe and effective dose for children. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the PK of understudied drugs currently being administered to children per SOC as prescribed by their treating provider.

Effect of Supplemental Hydrocortisone During Stress in Prednisolone-induced Adrenal Insufficiency

In this double-blinded randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial, the aim is to determine the effect of supplemental hydrocortisone compared with placebo during mild to moderate physical or mental stress on health related quality of life in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)/giant cell arteritis (GCA) on ongoing low-dose prednisolone diagnosed with glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency. The main emphasis is on fatigue (primary outcome) and daily variation hereof during periods of stress.

Updated Diagnostic Cortisol Values for Adrenal Insufficiency

The purpose of this study is to determine the cortisol levels that most accurately diagnose a patient with adrenal insufficiency, a condition in which cortisol levels are too low for daily living.

Hydrocortisone and Placebo in Patients With Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency After Cessation of Glucocorticoid Treatment

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid (GC) hormone secreted from the adrenal glands, is essential for survival. Cortisol also possesses anti-inflammatory actions and GC formulations (prednisolone) are used to treat many inflammatory diseases and conditions. Indeed, three percent of the Danish population (≈ 180.000 individuals) redeems at least one prescription of synthetic GC per year and at least 20,000 patients annually discontinue GC treatment. Pharmacological GC therapy suppresses endogenous cortisol production and thereby induce relative adrenal insufficiency (GIA). The risk of GIA as determined by the adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test has previously been reported to ≈ 25 %, but testing after GC treatment is not routinely performed. Indeed, new evidence suggest that the risk of GIA after planned cessation of prednisolone treatment for polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) or giant cell arteritis (GCA) is substantially lower, probably 2%. The reason for this discrepancy is undoubtedly selection bias in the previous publications and the use of inaccurate cortisol assays. At the same time, however, it was observed that 25% exhibited pronounced symptoms of adrenal insufficiency based on a questionnaire specific for detecting symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, the so-called AddiQoL-30. Concomitantly, the basal cortisol levels in the same group were significantly lower as compared to the group, who exhibited milder or no symptoms attributable to adrenal insufficiency. This observation aligns with the clinical experience that PMR/GCA patients often complain of fatigue after planned cessation of prednisolone treatment. This often occurs in the absence of objective symptoms or signs of residual PMR/GCA disease activity. The scenario has been designated as "the steroid withdrawal syndrome". This may represent a state of relative adrenal insufficiency prompted by long term, high dose prednisolone treatment. The proper way to tackle this clinical conundrum is to perform a proper randomized trial, which so far has not been conducted. Therefore, investigators of this study will perform the first placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial (RCT) in patients with PMR and GCA after planned cessation of GC treatment. Investigators argue that neither watchful waiting nor routine hydrocortisone replacement are infallible. The study will be the first evidence-based guidance and aid to GIA patients and thus meet an important need for many thousand patients.

Evaluation of Children With Endocrine and Metabolic-Related Conditions

Background: Endocrine glands give off hormones. Researchers want to learn more about the disorders that affect these glands in children. These disorders might be caused by changes in genes. Genes contain DNA, which is the blueprint of how a cell works. Researchers want to identify the genes involved in endocrine and metabolic disorders. This might help develop new ways to diagnose and treat the disorders. Objective: To study the inheritance of endocrine or metabolism disorders. Eligibility: Children ages 3month-18 with known or suspected endocrine or metabolism disorders. Family members ages 3months-100. They may participate in the DNA part of the study. Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. Their parents or guardians will allow the records to be released. Participants will have a clinic visit. This may include a physical exam and medical history. Parents or guardians will give their consent for the study. Participants may have tests, surgery, or other procedures to help diagnose or treat their condition. These could include: Blood, urine, and saliva tests Growth hormone test Pituitary and adrenal function tests Picture of chromosomes Imaging tests. These may include X-ray, ultrasound, scans, or a skeletal survey. Genetic tests Sleep study Medical photographs If surgery is done, a tissue sample will be taken. Participants may have follow-up visits for diagnosis and treatment. Participating relatives will have one visit. This will include medical history and blood and saliva tests. The blood and saliva will be used for DNA testing.

Improved Diagnostics and Monitoring of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Background: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is characterised by pain of the proximal muscles, general symptoms, and raised inflammatory markers. Treatment with prednisolone has several adverse effects. PMR is an exclusion diagnosis, and methods to diagnose and monitor the disease are lacking. Objective: To investigate if ultrasound and PET/CT can be used to diagnose and monitor PMR. In addition, the importance of prednisolone induced adrenal insufficiency is investigated. Methods: It is a prospective observational study in patients suspected of PMR. Patients diagnosed with PMR continue in the study. Ultrasound and PET/CT are performed at baseline, after 8 weeks on prednisolone, and after 10 weeks during a short prednisolone break. Adrenal insufficiency is investigated five times throughout the study. After one year the PMR diagnosis is confirmed.

Establishment and Clinical Application of Reference Intervals of Salivary Cortisol

The goal of this observational study is to establish the normal reference intervals of salivary cortisol and optimal cut-offs for Cushing's sydrome and adrenal insufficiency.

A Block-and-Replace Therapy With Osilodrostat and Concomitant Glucocorticoid Replacement

The major goal of this study is to determine the incidence of adrenal insufficiency in patients with endogenous Cushing syndrome receiving osilodrostat treatment combined with a replacement of glucocorticoid (block-and-replace approach). The investigators are also evaluating new biomarker steroids to reflect adequate osilodrostat dosing, the durability and safety, and clinical improvement during treatment.

Study on the Incidence of Adrenal Insufficiency After Surgery in Primary Aldosteronism Patients Concurrent With or Without Autonomous Cortisol Secretion

To evaluate the incidence of adrenal insufficiency after surgery in Primary aldosteronism (PA) patients concurrent with or without autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS).

Continuous Steroid Monitoring in Interstitial Fluid With Wearable and Nanoparticle-enhanced Biosensors for Improved Management of Adrenal Disorders

The goal of this project is to provide novel technology that will pave the way from the present single-point (analogue) endocrinology towards continuous cortisol and aldosterone monitoring with full time resolution. Current endocrine practice relies on occasional and often random determination of hormone level or functional tests that require a clinical setting. These measurements include sample extraction and analysis in a clinical laboratory rendering such tests laborious and expensive. Most importantly, through the individual variations of hormone oscillation and spatiotemporal distribution of hormones, infrequent hormone measurements have limited diagnostic and prognostic value as the dynamic changes are not captured and relevant intra-individual variability occurs. A requirement for this vision are sensing solutions capable to track hormone dynamics over prolonged periods at high patient comfort (e.g., at home), as targeted by this research proposal. This project has the overarching goals of (1) establishing dynamic interstitial aldosterone and cortisol monitoring as reliable diagnostic tool for cortisol and aldosterone excess or deficiency, and (2) develop a wearable molecular sensing device to detect them accurately.

A Swiss Assessment of Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal Axis Suppression After Glucocorticoid Therapy for Leukemia and Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in Children

Plain Language Summary: Background Glucocorticoids are stress hormones produced by the human body to control inflammation and regulate the immune system. Cortisol is the most well-known example of a glucocorticoid. These stress hormones are essential for the bodys healthy functioning. To treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia (blood cancer) in children, glucocorticoids are administered as medications in large quantities. This helps rapidly reduce the number of cancer cells in the body but also leads to the suppression of the body's natural glucocorticoid production, causing a deficiency. This deficiency can be particularly dangerous for children with leukemia, as their immune defenses are already weakened by chemotherapy, leading to an increased risk of infections. Moreover, the signs of glucocorticoid deficiency in children with leukemia are often indistinguishable from the side effects of chemotherapy, making the deficiency harder to detect. Objectives The aim of the study is to understand how frequently and for how long the body's natural glucocorticoid production is impaired in children treated for lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma. Additionally, the goal is to identify which children are at particularly high risk. By gaining a better understanding, this study may help to improve the detection and treatment of glucocorticoid deficiency in children with blood cancer. Methods Regular low-dose ACTH tests will be conducted to assess the bodys natural glucocorticoid production during and after treatment. To avoid placing additional burden on children who are already heavily affected by the disease, we will only perform these tests when there is already a venous access established and the children are in the hospital for treatment reasons.

Self-management in Patients With Adrenal Insufficiency.

Background: Cortisol deficiency leads to a wide range of clinical consequences. Substitution with glucocorticoids is necessary and demands knowledge and ability to self-management from the patient. Methods: Longitudinal questionnaire-based observational study including group education. Research questions: To find out if education in group, enhances patients´ and relatives' knowledge about adequate dose adjustment of cortisone and increases the feeling of safety and QoL in patients with adrenal insufficiency.

Tolerability and Acceptance of Two Oral Hydrocortisone Compounding Formulation for Pediatrics

The study aims to evaluate the tolerability and acceptance of two compounded formulations of hydrocortisone prepared in the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (VHUH) Pharmacy Service: one, an oral suspension and the other, chewable tablets prepared using a volume dosing device (M3DIMAKER 3D printer). The main goal is to enhance patient care and adherence among pediatric patients. This prospective, experimental study employs a randomized, crossover design and will take place solely at VHUH. Approximately 25-30 eligible patients diagnosed with adrenal hyperplasia, isolated primary adrenal insufficiency, or panhypopituitarism will be recruited. Each patient will receive each hydrocortisone formulation for a period of 3 months, totaling 6 months of treatment per patient. All patients will receive the medication at their usual dose and both formulations to assess tolerability and acceptance.

Treatment Study in Patients Treated With Both Insulin & Hydrocortisone

The aim of INS.CORT trial is, by studying glycemic variability in a well-defined patient group with both insulin \& hydrocortisone (patients with concomitant insulin-treated diabetes \& Addison's disease) and collecting information about the administration -time point and doses- of insulin, hydrocortisone and food intake with the help of new technology to improve the treatment in all patients treated with both insulin \& glucocorticoids.