PSAT050 An Unusual Case of Adrenal Insufficiency After Using Budesonide for Treatment of Microscopic Colitis

INTRODUCTION: Long term use of systemic glucocorticoids are a common cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency from 1.4-27.5% of cases. On the other hand, Budesonide, a non-halogenated steroid that is widely used for its low systemic absorption is rarely reported to cause secondary adrenal insufficiency. CASE: A 39-year-old female with significant medical history of anxiety, bipolar disorder, hypothyroidism, type 2 DM and lymphocytic colitis was admitted to the hospital with acute mental status change and lethargy. She reported a 3-week history of diffuse abdominal pain and diarrhea. She endorsed weight loss but denied any fever, vomiting, recent infection or any significant history of hepatitis. In ER, her vitals were notable for a BP of 105/68 mm Hg, Pulse 76 beats/min, temperature 97.5F, pulse oximetry 100% with 2 L nasal canula. On examination she appeared frail, alert but mildly confused. Admission labs showed sodium 143, potassium 4.3, bicarbonate 15, creatinine 1.2, GFR 57, blood glucose 67, Hemoglobin 6.3 and WBC 4.3, UA negative. During the ER course she became hypotensive with SBP in 80s. She was fluid resuscitated with a total of 4 L of normal saline and was eventually started on vasopressor support due to profound hypotension unresponsive to fluids. One unit of PRBC was transfused and she was transferred to MICU for further monitoring. Baseline cortisol level was drawn, and she was started on dexamethasone for presumed adrenal insufficiency, while awaiting the result of her labs. Her cortisol was subsequently confirmed to be 5.5mcg/dl. She was maintained on stress dose steroids and experienced dramatic improvements in her clinical status and BP. A review of her medical history revealed that she was diagnosed with microscopic colitis 5 months prior to the current admission and had been placed on budesonide 9mg/day, tapered slowly to the current dose of 3mg/day. She reported compliance with her budesonide up to the date of the admission. DISCUSSION: Iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency from Budesonide is rarely reported in the literature. Budesonide is a common choice for IBD, especially Crohn's disease and microscopic colitis. It has a high first pass metabolism (80-90%), thus limiting its systemic bioavailability to as low as 9-21%. Despite that, a few cases of chronic oral Budesonide use resulting in AI have been reported. As it is metabolized in the liver via CYP450 isoenzymes, concurrent use of CYP450 inhibitors or hepatic cirrhosis can also potentially interfere with its metabolism and increase its systemic bioavailability. According to literature there have been a few descriptions of patients developing AI without prior liver disease, similar to our patient. Caution should therefore be exercised in prescribing budesonide and physicians should have a high index of suspicion when patients on budesonide present with symptoms suggestive of adrenal insufficiency. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.