@article{3101030,
    title = "The ICET-A survey on current criteria used by clinicians for the assessment of central adrenal insufficiency in thalassemia: Analysis of results and recommendations",
    author = "De Sanctis, V. and Soliman, A.T. and Elsedfy, H. and Albu, A. and Al Jaouni, S. and AL Yaarubi, S. and Anastasi, S. and Canatan, D. and Di Maio, M. and Di Maio, S. and El Kholy, M. and Karimi, M. and Khater, D. and Kilinc, Y. and Lum, S.H. and Skordis, N. and Sobti, P. and Stoeva, I. and Tzoulis, P. and Wali, Y. and Kattamis, C.",
    journal = "MEDITERRANEAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES",
    year = "2016",
    volume = "8",
    number = "1",
    publisher = "Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore",
    doi = "10.4084/mjhid.2016.034",
    keywords = "hydrocortisone, adrenal function;  adrenal insufficiency;  Article;  blood bank;  clinical practice;  corticotropin test;  diagnostic approach route;  disease assessment;  e-mail;  endocrinologist;  hematologist;  hematology;  human;  hydrocortisone blood level;  hypothalamus hypophysis adrenal system;  internal medicine;  job experience;  oncology;  predictive value;  professional knowledge;  questionnaire;  receiver operating characteristic;  reference value;  sensitivity and specificity;  thalassemia major",
    abstract = "Background: In March 2015, the International Network of Clinicians for Endocrinopathies in Thalassemia and Adolescent Medicine (ICET-A) implemented a two-step survey on central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) assessment in TM patients and after analysis of the collected data, recommendations for the assessment of hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis in clinical practice were defined. Methods: To ascertain the current practice for assessment of CAI in thalassemia, the Coordinator of ICET-A sent two questionnaires by email: i) The first to evaluate the current interpretation of basal serum cortisol level (first step) and ii) The second to assess the current usage of ACTH test and the variability in practice" (second step). Based on the surveys the core ICET-A group prepared the recommendations for the assessment of suspected CAI in thalassemia (third step). Results: A total of 19 thalassemologists/endocrinologists have participated in the first survey and 35 specialists participated in the second step questionnaire. The study demonstrated a considerable variability in almost all aspects of relevant current criteria used for the diagnosis of CAI. An ROC analysis using peak value > 20 μg/dl (> 550 nmol/L), after ACTH stimulation test, was performed with the aim of identifying the optimal basal serum cortisol cut-off. The optimal threshold that maximizes sensitivity plus specificity for morning basal cortisol against peak post-ACTH value >20 μg/dl (>550 nmol/L) was 10 μg/dl (275 nmol/L). Furthermore, the values associated with the highest negative predictive value (NPV) and highest, positive predictive value (PPV) were 4.20 (115 nmol/L) and 18.45 μg/dl (510 nmol/L), respectively. Surprisingly, 20 specialists in thalassemia working in blood bank, thalassemia centres (day hospital), internal medicine, hematology and onco-hematology had poor knowledge and experience in testing for CAI and stopped filling the questionnaire after the second question. In contrast, 9 endocrinologists (8 pediatricians) and 6 hematologists working in collaboration with endocrinologists completed the questionnaire. Conclusions: While waiting for more extensive adequately powered and targeted studies, physicians should adopt an acceptable policy for accurate assessment of HPA in TM patients. Regular surveillance, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in a multi-disciplinary specialized setting are also recommended. The ICET-A recommendations are reported in order to facilitate for interested physicians the approach to a successful assessment of adrenal function in thalassemia. © 2016."
}