Assessment of adrenal response in patients with stable cirrhosis and ascites using different short Synacthen tests and definitions.

Background And Aims: The definition of relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) in patients with cirrhosis remains controversial. We investigated the serum and salivary cortisol (SalC) response after low-dose and standard-dose Synacthen test in patients with stable cirrhosis and ascites.

Methods: Ninety-five cirrhotic patients with ascites were prospectively evaluated from January 2014 to January 2018.