We propose to use a case control design to test the main hypothesis that as compared to healthy control subjects matched for sex, age, adiposity and race/ethnicity, patients with adrenal insufficiency, whether primary or secondary, have disturbances of the circadian system that are associated with high day to day variability of sleep time as well as elevated markers of cardio-metabolic risk, including abnormal oral glucose tolerance and reduced nocturnal blood pressure dipping.
A secondary hypothesis of the study is that adrenal insufficiency patients on a replacement regimen (as part of their standard of care ongoing treatment) that results in daytime cortisol profiles approximating the normal diurnal variation will have better cardio-metabolic function than adrenal insufficiency patients who have grossly abnormal cortisol profiles.
