Effect of Surgical or Conservative Approach in Patients With Adrenal Incidentalomas

Plain-language summary

Subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) is a status of asymptomatic hypercortisolism, frequently found in patients with adrenal adenomas (estimated prevalence: 0.8-2% after 60 years of age). Although SH may lead to diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis, the diagnostic SH criteria and those suggesting the need of adrenalectomy are debated. Indeed, beside the cortisol secretion, the individual cortisol sensitivity may play a role in determining the SH consequences. Subjects with possible SH due to adrenal adenoma will be randomized to surgery/conservative follow up. The effects of surgery on the cardiovascular, bone, metabolic complications of SH and on neuropsychological aspects and quality of life (QoL) and the possibility to predict them by using cortisol sensitivity and secretion markers will be studied. The study may clarify how to individuate patients who can benefit from surgery. These results will help reducing the costs of both useless surgical operations and SH consequences.

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