The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of the measurement of cortisol levels in saliva in the evaluation of adrenal gland reserve. 97 subjects with bronchial asthma (51 women and 46 men) were investigated. Control group comprised 31 healthy volunteers (19 women and 12 men). All subjects and controls underwent a short Synacthen test, and serum total cortisol levels and salivary free cortisol levels were examined. A very high correlation (r=0.783) between these two values was found after ACTH administration. Thus, it was concluded that the measurement of salivary free cortisol during the short stimulation test of the adrenal cortex may be useful in the investigation of glucocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex in patients with bronchial asthma.

Keywords: bronchial asthma, serum and saliva cortisol level, synacthen test