Grethe Ueland

Benign adrenal tumors are common and affecting approximately 5% of the adult population. 30-50% of the cases shows overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol, a condition named mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). MACS is associated with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity and unfavorable cholesterol profile, conditions that gives increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Diagnosing MACS is troublesome, and easy screening test are lacking. The impact on the body of living with untreated MACS is also unknown.  Furthermore, what is the optimal treatment is debated, conservative approach to the comorbidities or surgery of the adrenal gland. Our aim is to close these knowledge gaps through establishment of evidence-based international guidelines for diagnostics and treatment of MACS, and to get a deeper insight into the inflammatory impact of this disease.