Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency natural history, complications and prognosis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
If left untreated, secondary adrenal insufficiency can be life-threatening. Any stressful event or illness can cause a sudden worsening of symptoms, which can lead to severe dehydration and fatally low blood pressure and eventually death from adrenal crisis. Common complications include hypoglycemia, adrenal crisis, hypovolemic shock and cardiac arrest. Prognosis is generally good in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency as long as they are on life-time hormonal therapy. Patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency must be closely monitored for compliance with medications as acute cases can be life-threatening and the mortality rates can go up to 95% in acute crisis.
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History
If left untreated, secondary adrenal insufficiency can be life-threatening. Any stressful event or illness can cause a sudden worsening of symptoms, which can lead to severe dehydration and fatally low blood pressure and eventually death from adrenal crisis.
Complications
Complications of secondary adrenal insufficiency include:[1]
Prognosis
- Prognosis is generally good in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency as long as they are on life-time hormonal therapy,[2][3] or when the underlying cause is removed.
- Patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency must be closely monitored for compliance with medications as acute cases can be life-threating and the mortality rates can go up to 95% in acute crisis.
- For prognosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency where cause is hypopituitarism, click here.
References
References
- ↑ Quinkler M (2012). “[Addison’s disease]”. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed (in German). 107 (6): 454–9. doi:10.1007/s00063-012-0112-3. PMID 22907517.
- ↑ Erichsen MM, Løvås K, Fougner KJ, Svartberg J, Hauge ER, Bollerslev J, Berg JP, Mella B, Husebye ES (2009). “Normal overall mortality rate in Addison’s disease, but young patients are at risk of premature death”. Eur. J. Endocrinol. 160 (2): 233–7. doi:10.1530/EJE-08-0550. PMID 19011006.
- ↑ Bergthorsdottir R, Leonsson-Zachrisson M, Odén A, Johannsson G (2006). “Premature mortality in patients with Addison’s disease: a population-based study”. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 91 (12): 4849–53. doi:10.1210/jc.2006-0076. PMID 16968806.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: