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Basal serum cortisol concentration as a screening test for hypoadrenocorticism in dogs
1School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, UK; Small Animal Hospital, Langford Veterinary Services, Langford, Bristol, UK.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|July 29, 2014
Summary
Basal serum cortisol measurement is a useful screening tool for hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. A level below 2 μg/dL suggests the need for further testing with an ACTH stimulation test.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Basal serum cortisol measurement is a common screening test for canine hypoadrenocorticism.
- Its diagnostic accuracy, however, is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the sensitivity and specificity of basal serum cortisol levels in detecting hypoadrenocorticism in dogs.
- To compare these values against the established ACTH stimulation test.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case-control study reviewed records of 450 dogs with nonadrenal illness and 14 with hypoadrenocorticism.
- Basal serum cortisol sensitivity and specificity were calculated using two cut-off values (≤2 μg/dL and ≤1 μg/dL) against the ACTH stimulation test.
Main Results:
- A basal cortisol cut-off of ≤2 μg/dL showed 100% sensitivity and 63.3% specificity.
- A cut-off of ≤1 μg/dL yielded 85.7% sensitivity and 91.8% specificity.
Conclusions:
- Basal serum cortisol is a valuable screening test for hypoadrenocorticism in dogs, especially with a cut-off of ≤2 μg/dL.
- Dogs with basal cortisol >2 μg/dL are unlikely to have hypoadrenocorticism, but levels ≤2 μg/dL warrant an ACTH stimulation test for definitive diagnosis.
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