LAUSR

OBJECTIVE Trauma-induced steroid changes have been studied post-hospital admission, resulting in a lack of understanding of the speed and extent of the immediate endocrine response to injury. The Golden Hour Study was designed to capture the ultra-acute response to traumatic injury. DESIGN An observational cohort study including adult male trauma patients <60 years, with blood samples drawn <1 hour of major trauma by pre-hospital emergency responders. METHODS We recruited 31 adult male trauma patients (mean age 28 (range 19-59) years) with a mean injury severity score of 16 (IQR 10-21). The median time to first sample was 35 (range 14-56) minutes, with follow-up samples collected 4-12 and 48-72 hours post-injury. Serum steroids in patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n=34) were analysed by tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS Within one hour of injury, we observed an increase in glucocorticoid and adrenal androgen biosynthesis. Cortisol and 11-hydroxyandrostendione increased rapidly while cortisone and 11-ketoandrostenedione decreased, reflective of increased cortisol and 11-oxygenated androgen precursor biosynthesis by 11β-hydroxylase and increased cortisol activation by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Active classic gonadal androgens testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone decreased while the active 11-oxygenated androgen 11-ketotestosterone maintained pre-injury levels. CONCLUSIONS Changes in steroid biosynthesis and metabolism occur within minutes of traumatic injury. Studies that address whether ultra-early changes in steroid metabolism are associated with patient outcomes are now required.