Hormones in the critically ill patient: to intervene or not to intervene?

J J Ligtenberg; A R Girbes; J A Beentjes; J E Tulleken; T S van der Werf; J G Zijlstra

doi:10.1007/s001340101050

Hormones in the critically ill patient: to intervene or not to intervene?

Intensive Care Med. 2001 Oct;27(10):1567-77. doi: 10.1007/s001340101050.

Authors

J J Ligtenberg¹, A R Girbes, J A Beentjes, J E Tulleken, T S van der Werf, J G Zijlstra

Affiliation

¹ Intensive and Respiratory Care Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. j.j.m.litenberg@int.azg.nl

PMID: 11685296
DOI: 10.1007/s001340101050

Abstract

Critically ill patients show a variety of hormonal changes that appear to differ considerably in acute and prolonged critical illness. Whether these endocrine alterations serve as physiological adaptation or contribute to further deterioration remains an intriguing question. We review the recent literature and discuss whether measuring circulating hormone concentrations, performing stimulation tests, and intervening with hormone substitution could contribute to the recovery of critically ill patients.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Acute Disease / therapy*
Adaptation, Physiological
Catecholamines / blood
Catecholamines / physiology*
Catecholamines / therapeutic use*
Critical Care / methods*
Critical Illness / therapy*
Energy Metabolism
Growth Hormone / blood
Growth Hormone / physiology*
Growth Hormone / therapeutic use*
Humans
Hydrocortisone / blood
Hydrocortisone / physiology*
Hydrocortisone / therapeutic use*
Patient Selection*
Recovery of Function
Thyroid Hormones / blood
Thyroid Hormones / physiology*
Thyroid Hormones / therapeutic use*
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Catecholamines
Thyroid Hormones
Growth Hormone
Hydrocortisone