Service evaluation suggests variation in clinical care provision in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the UK and Ireland.

Journal: Clinical endocrinology

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Affiliated Institutions:  Academic Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland. Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. Society for Endocrinology, Bristol, UK. CAH Support Group, Living with CAH, Cambridge, UK. Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, UK. Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Abstract summary 

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) encompasses a rare group of autosomal recessive disorders, characterised by enzymatic defects in steroidogenesis. Heterogeneity in management practices has been observed internationally. The International Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia registry (I-CAH, https://sdmregistries.org/) was established to enable insights into CAH management and outcomes, yet its global adoption by endocrine centres remains unclear.We sought (1) to assess current practices amongst clinicians managing patients with CAH in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with a focus on choice of glucocorticoid, monitoring practices and screening for associated co-morbidities, and (2) to assess use of the I-CAH registry.We designed and distributed an anonymised online survey disseminated to members of the Society for Endocrinology and Irish Endocrine Society to capture management practices in the care of patients with CAH.Marked variability was found in CAH management, with differences between general endocrinology and subspecialist settings, particularly in glucocorticoid use, biochemical monitoring and comorbidity screening, with significant disparities in reproductive health monitoring, notably in testicular adrenal rest tumours (TARTs) screening (p = .002), sperm banking (p = .0004) and partner testing for CAH (p < .0001). Adoption of the I-CAH registry was universally low.Differences in current management of CAH continue to exist. It appears crucial to objectify if different approaches result in different long-term outcomes. New studies such as CaHASE2, incorporating standardised minimum datasets including replacement therapies and monitoring strategies as well as longitudinal data collection, are now needed to define best-practice and standardise care.

Authors & Co-authors:  Doyle Ahmed Davis Elford Elhassan James Lawrence Llahana Okoro Rees Tomlinson O'Reilly Krone

Study Outcome 

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Citations :  Claahsen - van der grinten HL, Speiser PW, Ahmed SF, et al. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia-current insights in pathophysiology, diagnostics, and management. Endocr Rev. 2021;43(1):91-159. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnab016
Authors :  13
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1111/cen.15043
SSN : 1365-2265
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
I-CAH;congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
England