Evaluation of the Severity of Hepatic Fibrosis by Magnetic Resonance Elastography in the Diagnosis of Endogenous Hypercorticism

Launched by CENTRAL HOSPITAL, NANCY, FRANCE · Jun 20, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The HEPACORT study is investigating how severe liver damage, known as liver fibrosis, may be present in patients diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome, a condition caused by high levels of cortisol in the body. Using a special imaging technique called Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE), researchers aim to better understand the relationship between Cushing's syndrome and liver health. This study is particularly important because it is the first of its kind to look closely at liver fibrosis in people with this condition.

To participate in the study, individuals must be at least 18 years old and either have Cushing's syndrome, be suspected of having it, or have metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Participants will undergo a preliminary health check and will need to sign a consent form to take part. It's important to note that people with certain conditions, such as chronic liver disease or those who have recently taken specific medications, may not be eligible. Participants can expect to undergo an MRI to assess their liver health without needing any surgical procedures. This study aims to provide better insight into the health effects of Cushing's syndrome and improve future patient care.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • age ≥ 18 years old;
• • Person affiliated to a social security scheme or beneficiary of such a scheme;
• • Person having received complete information on the organization of the research and having signed informed consent;
• • Person having carried out a preliminary clinical examination adapted to the research.
• • Patients with Cushing's syndrome (for the Cushing's Syndrome group)
• • Patients with possible Cushing's syndrome (for the suspected Cushing's Syndrome group) defined as response to the dexamethasone supression test with 1 mg of Dexamethasone, with a plasma cortisol assay at 8 am between 18 and 50 µg/L carried out in the 3 months preceding ;
• • Patients with metabolic syndrome (for the metabolic syndrome group)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Person having taken corticosteroid therapy for more than 3 months during the 2 years preceding inclusion;
• • Person having received corticosteroid therapy of shorter duration with discontinuation less than one month before inclusion;
• • Person having taken anticortisolic treatment for more than 3 months during the 2 years preceding inclusion;
• • Person with chronic liver disease;
• • Person with alcohol misuse, defined by a weekly consumption of more than 10 standard units;
• • Person with a morphotype that does not allow an MRI examination to be performed;
• • Woman of childbearing age who does not have an effective means of contraception;
• • Contraindication to performing an MRI examination.
• • Person referred to in Articles L. 1121-5, L. 1121-7 and L1121-8 of the French Public Health Code.