Autoimmune Adrenalitis

Addison’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency, and it is characterized by deficient production of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids by adrenals. The symptoms and signs of adrenal insufficiency vary from nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain to fever, weakness, fatigue, lethargy, and confusion, while coma may also appear. Shock not responsive to volume may also occur. The most common cause of AD is autoimmune adrenalitis. It is linked to high titers of cortex adrenal autoantibodies (ACA). In this chapter, the authors review the clinical and laboratory and summarize the diagnostic criteria of AD. In addition, some aspects of treatment are discussed.