Table 1—

Clinical features of three patients with chronic lung disease with adrenal suppression attributed to prolonged inhaled corticosteroid therapy

CaseSexAge yrsDiagnosisDaily maintenance treatmentExtra steroid treatmentSymptoms and signsBasal cortisol nmol·L−1Post- Synacthen cortisol nmol·L−1
1Female27Bronchiectasis Asthma1 mg fluticasone2–3 short courses oral prednisolone per yrFatigue, lethargy, malaise, depression, nausea, vomiting, hypotension especially with exacerbation<2032
2Female63COPD Bronchiectasis1 mg fluticasone2 short courses prednisolone per yrFatigue, falls, postural hypotension80253
Occasional nasal steroid
3Female81Bronchiectasis1 mg fluticasone4–5 short courses prednisolone per yrArthralgia, malaise, fatigue175397

  • COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.