Diagnosing adrenal insufficiency in patients with liver cirrhosis

Investigation of Incidence and Proper Diagnostic Method for Adrenal Insufficiency in Liver Cirrhosis Patients

Seoul National University Hospital · NCT06206655

This study is testing different ways to diagnose adrenal insufficiency in patients with liver cirrhosis to see which method is the most accurate.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSeoul National University Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Seoul)
Trial IDNCT06206655 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to improve the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis (LC). It will recruit 50 patients with LC who will undergo a rapid ACTH stimulation test, with blood and saliva samples collected for analysis. The study will investigate the differences between serum free cortisol, total cortisol, and salivary cortisol to determine the most accurate method for diagnosing AI in this patient population. The approach focuses on addressing the controversy surrounding the over-diagnosis of AI in LC patients due to altered cortisol levels.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have undergone pituitary or adrenal surgery, or have acute medical conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate diagnoses of adrenal insufficiency in liver cirrhosis patients, improving their management and treatment.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing debate regarding the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency in liver cirrhosis, this specific approach using salivary cortisol and mass-spectrometry has not been widely tested, making it a novel investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* patients diagnosed of liver cirrhosis

Exclusion Criteria:

* pregnant
* history of getting surgery of pituitary resection or adrenalectomy
* patients with diagnosis of pituitary adenoma or adrenal adenoma
* patients take steroid within 3 months
* patients take medication related to synthesis of steroid or cortisol binding protein within 3 months (i.e. ketoconazole, etomidate, sex hormone, oral contraceptive)
* patients take albumin, free frozen plasma, terlipressin, glypressin within 1 month
* patients with acute medical condition

Where this trial is running

Seoul

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Adrenal Insufficiency, Liver Cirrhosis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.