Objective To provide a narrative review of the latest concepts and understanding of the
pathophysiology of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). Participants A …

Critical illnesses are characterized by increased systemic cortisol availability, which is a vital
part of the stress response. Relative adrenal failure (later termed critical-illness-related …

Sepsis is a highly lethal syndrome resulting from dysregulated immune and metabolic
responses to infection, thereby compromising host homeostasis. Activation of the …

The classical model of the vital increase in systemic glucocorticoid availability in response to
sepsis-and hyperinflammation-induced critical illness is one of an activated hypothalamus …

Based on insights obtained during the past decade, the classical concept of an activated
hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in response to critical illness is in need of …

Critical illnesses are hallmarked by increased systemic cortisol availability, a vital part of the
stress response. Acute stress may trigger a life-threatening adrenal crisis when a disease of …

Severe socioeconomic deprivation (SED) and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are
significantly associated with the development in adulthood of (i) enhanced inflammatory …

Context: Critical illness, an extreme form of severe physical stress, is characterized by
important endocrine and metabolic changes. Due to critical care medicine, survival from …

Sepsis is an acute systemic inflammatory disease. Glucocorticoids (GCs), which function by
binding to the GC receptor GR have very powerful anti-inflammatory activities, yet they are …

Critical illness represents a life-threatening disorder necessitating recruitment of defence
mechanisms for survival. Herein, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is essential …