Re: Trilck M, Flitsch J, Lüdecke DK, Jung R, Petersenn S: Salivary Cortisol Measurement - a Reliable Method for the Diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome

Regarding the published article the authors apologize for two mistakes in the printed version. Due to a mix-up, a correction is necessary.

In the abstract as well as in the result section, the mentioned percentages of specificity and sensitivity for the exclusion/proof of hypercortisolism were mixed up. The correct version is:

“The following, age dependent cut-off levels for salivary cortisol at 10 : 00 p.m. were calculated for the exclusion of hypercortisolism. Age 6 - 10: 1.0 µg/l (specificity 100 %, sensitivity 87.5 %); age 11 - 15: 1.7 µg/l (specificity 100 %, sensitivity 100 %); age 16 - 20: 1.6 µg/l (specificity 100 %, sensitivity 76.2 %); age 21 - 60: 1.6 µg/l (specificity 100 %, sensitivity 90.9 %).

For the proof of Cushing's syndrome, the following age-dependent cut-off levels at 10 : 00 p.m. were found: Age 6 - 10: 1.9 µg/l (specificity 100 %, sensitivity 80 %); age 11 - 15: 1.7 µg/l (specificity 100 %, sensitivity 100 %); age 16 - 20: 2.5 µg/l (specificity 100 %, sensitivity 84.2 %); age 21 - 60: 1.9 µg/l (specificity 100 %, sensitivity 97.6 %).”

Regarding Table 1 and 2, the mentioned specificities represent sensitivities and vice versa and have to be exchanged. In Table 2, the late evening cut-off for the age group 21 - 60 years of 1.9 µg/l correctly has a specificity of 100 % with a sensitivity of 97.6 % (not 87.6 %).

Finally, regarding the abstract, in the sentence “We found a high sensitivity for the detection of hypercortisolism at the 10 : 00 p.m. salivary cortisol measurement.” sensitivity has to be changed into accuracy.