[Corticotherapy withdrawal in older people].

Synthetic glucocorticoids treatment for their antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive activities for more than 3 weeks decreases corticotropic axis and induces a risk of adrenal insufficiency upon treatment withdrawal. Dose, duration and unknown individual factors play a role in the occurrence of adrenal insufficiency. Serum cortisol at 7-8 am, possibly completed by an 1-24 ACTH stimulation test makes the diagnosis. A scheme for care of patients is included with a progressive decrease of synthetic glucocorticoids dose, a replacement of this medication with physiological doses of hydrocortisone (in case of adrenal insufficiency) and a follow-up of endogenous secretion for detection of adrenal function recovery.