Scientists at the University of Sheffield have developed a new at-home test using saliva instead of blood, with the aim of providing a more rapid and convenient way to diagnose adrenal insufficiency.
The test works by detecting ‘waking’ cortisol, which avoids the need for patients to have long screening procedures in hospitals where blood is taken and measured more than once.
As part of a three-year study, funded through a National Institute for Health and Care Research grant, 200 patients who attended Sheffield Teaching Hospitals’ endocrine unit were identified as being at risk of adrenal insufficiency were given the at-home tests to provide saliva samples.
The results have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence, with the researchers stating that the test “provided an accurate and rapid way to diagnose adrenal insufficiency”. Patients also reported that they are less painful and taking the test at home reduced anxiety, with the rapid diagnosis also leading to quick treatment for patients, thus adverting an adrenal crisis.
Data that had been gathered from the study underlined that 70 percent of patients who are at risk of adrenal insufficiency were able to save time and money for both the NHS and the patient.
Researchers have also estimated that if the test was to be delivered wide across the NHS, the number of hospital diagnostic investigations could be reduced from 92,000 annual patient visits a year to 23,000.
Dr Miguel Debono, Consultant Endocrinologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Oncology and Metabolism, developed the test in partnership with Professor Richard Ross, Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Sheffield.
Dr Debono said: “Up to three per cent of the population take oral steroids to control anti-inflammatory conditions such as asthma, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and half of these patients suffer with adrenal insufficiency.
“We are delighted to be presenting the findings of this important study as this shows that testing for waking cortisol through a simple at home test provides a more rapid and convenient way to screen for the condition, which is just as accurate as a blood test, and enables patients to get an early diagnosis which can be key in preventing an adrenal crisis.”
Looking ahead, the team is seeking further funding to make the test widely available across the NHS.
Read the research paper in full here.
