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Pathology - Addison's disease
Definition: Primary adrenocortical insufficiency. Epidemiology • Uncommon, with an estimated annual incidence of 1 in 100,000 individuals. • The majority of instances occur in young to middle-aged adults. • Women are disproportionately impacted compared to men.
Etiology • Autoimmune degradation in industrialized nations. • Disseminated TB in underdeveloped nations. • Alternative etiologies, such as adrenal metastases, are infrequent.
Pathogenesis • Addison's disease results in a significant deficiency of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis by the adrenal cortex.
Clinical manifestations do not become apparent until approximately 90% of the gland has been obliterated.
Presentation: Fatigue, lethargy, and debilitation. • Anorexia, nausea, emesis, and diarrhea. • Weight loss may be significant.
The clinical appearance is frequently subtle and non-specific, complicating the diagnosis.
Biochemistry • Sodium and potassium levels. • Urea concentration resulting from dehydration. • As much as fifty percent of patients have hypoglycemia. • Circulating anti-adrenal autoantibodies are frequently observed. Diagnosis • Individuals suspected of having Addison’s disease should undergo dynamic adrenal cortex testing via a Synacthen test. This entails an intramuscular injection of synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The typical response is an elevation in plasma cortisol levels. In Addison's disease, there is either an absence of cortisol elevation or merely a negligible increase.
Prognosis: Favorable if diagnosis is established and lifetime replacement medication is initiated with synthetic glucocorticoid (hydrocortisone) and mineralocorticoid (fludrocortisone). It is essential for patients to comprehend the necessity of augmenting their hydrocortisone dosage throughout any concurrent illness. 3 Untreated or inadequately treated Addison's disease may lead to abrupt adrenal failure ('Addisonian crisis'), characterized by a perilous combination of hypovolemic shock, significant hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia
Definition: Primary adrenocortical insufficiency. Epidemiology • Uncommon, with an estimated annual incidence of 1 in 100,000 individuals. • The majority of instances occur in young to middle-aged adults. • Women are disproportionately impacted compared to men.
Etiology • Autoimmune degradation in industrialized nations. • Disseminated TB in underdeveloped nations. • Alternative etiologies, such as adrenal metastases, are infrequent.
Pathogenesis • Addison's disease results in a significant deficiency of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis by the adrenal cortex.
Clinical manifestations do not become apparent until approximately 90% of the gland has been obliterated.
Presentation: Fatigue, lethargy, and debilitation. • Anorexia, nausea, emesis, and diarrhea. • Weight loss may be significant.
The clinical appearance is frequently subtle and non-specific, complicating the diagnosis.
Biochemistry • Sodium and potassium levels. • Urea concentration resulting from dehydration. • As much as fifty percent of patients have hypoglycemia. • Circulating anti-adrenal autoantibodies are frequently observed. Diagnosis • Individuals suspected of having Addison’s disease should undergo dynamic adrenal cortex testing via a Synacthen test. This entails an intramuscular injection of synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The typical response is an elevation in plasma cortisol levels. In Addison's disease, there is either an absence of cortisol elevation or merely a negligible increase.
Prognosis: Favorable if diagnosis is established and lifetime replacement medication is initiated with synthetic glucocorticoid (hydrocortisone) and mineralocorticoid (fludrocortisone). It is essential for patients to comprehend the necessity of augmenting their hydrocortisone dosage throughout any concurrent illness. 3 Untreated or inadequately treated Addison's disease may lead to abrupt adrenal failure ('Addisonian crisis'), characterized by a perilous combination of hypovolemic shock, significant hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia
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