Diagnosis and management of adrenal insufficiency.

Irina Bancos, Stefanie Hahner, Jeremy Tomlinson, Wiebke Arlt

Journal: The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology 2015;3(3):216-26

PMID: 25098712

Abstract

Adrenal insufficiency continues to be a challenge for patients, their physicians, and researchers. During the past decade, long-term studies have shown increased mortality and morbidity and impaired quality of life in patients with adrenal insufficiency. These findings might, at least partially, be due to the failure of glucocorticoid replacement therapy to closely resemble physiological diurnal secretion of cortisol. The potential effect of newly developed glucocorticoid drugs is a focus of research, as are the mechanisms potentially underlying increased morbidity and mortality. Adrenal crisis remains a threat to lives, and awareness and preventative measures now receive increasing attention. Awareness should be raised in medical teams and patients about adrenal insufficiency and management of adrenal crisis to improve clinical outcome.

Address: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (CEDAM), School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.; Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (CEDAM), School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.; Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (CEDAM), School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(14)70142-1