Non-invasive monitoring test in CAH
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comprehensive non-invasive monitoring of control in patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
IRAS ID
357350
Contact name
Nils P Krone
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) represents a group of inherited conditions characterised by abnormal production of steroid hormones in the adrenal glands. Most patients need life-long replacement treatment with steroid hormones. Achieving the best possible medication regime is challenging, as it is difficult to establish whether the doses used are too high or too low. High doses may cause problems such as poor growth, weight gain and high blood pressure, while low doses will cause excessive production of sex hormones and may even lead to a life-threatening complication called adrenal crisis. Monitoring of treatment is therefore a crucial element in the management of CAH. Monitoring presently relies on blood tests, which are traumatising, especially for children, and provide limited information regarding disease control. Current advances in hormonal assay technology allows the measurement of hormone concentrations in saliva. This provides the opportunity to develop non-invasive tests that would be more acceptable for patients, facilitating more regular and accurate monitoring of hormonal treatment. We will conduct a study that aims to develop a non-invasive salivary test to assess therapy control and cortisol exposure in CAH. We will measure hormone concentrations in saliva samples throughout the day. We will provide patients with salivettes (saliva collection tubes) at home and ask them to post the samples to the laboratory. We will analyse the salivary steroid measurements in relation to hormone doses and clinical measurements such as weight, height, blood pressure, and integrate the information derived in developing novel strategies for monitoring therapy. We believe that this study will significantly benefit patients with CAH by improving monitoring of treatment, and thus facilitate a personalised approach to therapy and lead to better long-term health.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
26/WA/0137
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion