A retrospective review of the short Synacthen test in Queensland hospitals

BackgroundThe short Synacthen test (SST) is widely used to investigate adrenal insufficiency, but it can be time-consuming, costly and labour-intensive to perform and is not without risk of adverse events.AimTo review SST requesting patterns and practices across public hospitals in Queensland.MethodsThe electronic medical records of patients who underwent a SST with Pathology Queensland between January 2020 and December 2020 were reviewed to collect data regarding the indication for the test, the requesting speciality, SST results and any adverse events.ResultsSix hundred and fifty-two SSTs were identified, of which 363 individual patients were included in the analysis. The majority of the tests (n = 198, 54.5%) were performed in the inpatient setting. Endocrinology most commonly ordered SSTs (n = 188, 51.8%). The suspected aetiology of adrenal insufficiency was unclear in a large proportion of requests (n = 167, 46.0%). Static testing of morning cortisol prior to SST was performed in only 249 (68.6%) patients. Of 140 inpatients data, 17.9% (n = 25) showed a robust static cortisol of >= 400 nmol/L and were treated as having normal adrenal function, suggesting SST was unnecessary in these patients. Twenty-two (6.1%) patients had a documented adverse event occurring during or after the SST.ConclusionsThere was wide variability in requesting patterns and practices for SSTs across Queensland. More than one in six SSTs could have been avoided if a static morning cortisol had been performed prior. Clinician education and the adoption of a structured referral form may improve testing practices.