Table 2

Adrenal function according to the serum albumin level


Albumin ≤ 2.5 g/dl (n = 75)
Albumin > 2.5 g/dl (n = 12)
P value

Baseline cortisol (μg/dl)
15.5 (10.4–23.4)
22.4 (15.5–26.7)
0.04*
Cortisol 60 (μg/dl)
23.5 (17.2–36.6)
40.3 (27–51.5)
0.009*
Cortisol 120 (μg/dl)
30.4 (23.2–46.7)
41.9 (33.1–54.9)
0.04*
Δmax1 (μg/dl)
6.9 (3.5–13.2)
13.2 (3.7–26.6)
0.24
Δmax249 (μg/dl)
14.5 (9.4–23.4)
18.8 (9.9–28.9)
0.48
Baseline cortisol ≤ 10
17 (22.7)
1 (8.3)
0.45
Baseline cortisol ≤ 15
37 (49.3)
3 (25)
0.12
Baseline cortisol ≤ 20
52 (69.3)
6 (50)
0.2
Baseline cortisol ≤ 23.6
58 (77.3)
6 (50)
0.07
Baseline cortisol ≤ 25
63 (84)
7 (58.3)
0.05*
Baseline cortisol ≤ 34
70 (93.3)
11 (91.7)
1.0
Δmax249 ≤ 9
18 (24)
3 (25)
1.0
Δmax1 ≤ 9
46 (61.3)
4 (33.3)
0.07

Data presented as n (%) or median (interquartile range). Protein and albumin levels were not measured in 15 patients. Cortisol units: 1 μg/dl = 27.6 nmol/l. Cortisol 60, serum cortisol level drawn 60 minutes after stimulus with 1 μg corticotropin; Cortisol 120, serum cortisol level drawn 60 minutes after stimulus with 249 μg corticotropin (120 minutes after serum baseline cortisol); Δmax1, cortisol 60 value minus the baseline cortisol level; Δmax249, cortisol 120 value minus the baseline cortisol level.

Salgado et al. Critical Care 2006 10:R149   doi:10.1186/cc5077