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Primary adrenocortical insufficiency

MedGen UID:
1324
Concept ID:
C0001403
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Addison disease; Addison's disease; Chronic primary adrenal insufficiency; Hypoadrenocorticism familial
SNOMED CT: Primary adrenocortical insufficiency (373662000); Primary hypoadrenalism (373662000); Addison disease (363732003); Addison's disease (363732003)
Modes of inheritance:
Non-Mendelian inheritance
MedGen UID:
109109
Concept ID:
C0600599
Genetic Function
Source: Orphanet
A mode of inheritance that depends on a mixture of major and minor genetic determinants possibly together with environmental factors. Diseases inherited in this manner are termed complex diseases.
 
HPO: HP:0008207
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0015129
OMIM®: 240200
Orphanet: ORPHA101959

Definition

Insufficient production of steroid hormones (primarily cortisol) by the adrenal glands as a result of a primary defect in the glands themselves. [from HPO]

Clinical features

From HPO
Abnormality of the cardiovascular system
MedGen UID:
116727
Concept ID:
C0243050
Congenital Abnormality
Any abnormality of the cardiovascular system.
Vomiting
MedGen UID:
12124
Concept ID:
C0042963
Sign or Symptom
Forceful ejection of the contents of the stomach through the mouth by means of a series of involuntary spasmic contractions.
Feeding difficulties in infancy
MedGen UID:
436211
Concept ID:
C2674608
Finding
Impaired feeding performance of an infant as manifested by difficulties such as weak and ineffective sucking, brief bursts of sucking, and falling asleep during sucking. There may be difficulties with chewing or maintaining attention.
Seizure
MedGen UID:
20693
Concept ID:
C0036572
Sign or Symptom
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterised by a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.
Apnea
MedGen UID:
2009
Concept ID:
C0003578
Sign or Symptom
Lack of breathing with no movement of the respiratory muscles and no exchange of air in the lungs. This term refers to a disposition to have recurrent episodes of apnea rather than to a single event.
Hyperkalemia
MedGen UID:
5691
Concept ID:
C0020461
Finding
An abnormally increased potassium concentration in the blood.
Hypoglycemia
MedGen UID:
6979
Concept ID:
C0020615
Disease or Syndrome
A decreased concentration of glucose in the blood.
Hyponatremia
MedGen UID:
6984
Concept ID:
C0020625
Finding
An abnormally decreased sodium concentration in the blood.
Cyanosis
MedGen UID:
1189
Concept ID:
C0010520
Sign or Symptom
Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucosa due to poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of arterial or capillary blood.
Abnormality of skin pigmentation
MedGen UID:
224697
Concept ID:
C1260926
Finding
An abnormality of the pigmentation of the skin.
Adrenal insufficiency
MedGen UID:
1351
Concept ID:
C0001623
Disease or Syndrome
Insufficient production of steroid hormones (primarily cortisol) by the adrenal glands.
Adrenal hypoplasia
MedGen UID:
337539
Concept ID:
C1846223
Pathologic Function
Developmental hypoplasia of the adrenal glands.

Conditions with this feature

Kearns-Sayre syndrome
MedGen UID:
9618
Concept ID:
C0022541
Disease or Syndrome
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion syndromes predominantly comprise three overlapping phenotypes that are usually simplex (i.e., a single occurrence in a family), but rarely may be observed in different members of the same family or may evolve from one clinical syndrome to another in a given individual over time. The three classic phenotypes caused by mtDNA deletions are Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS), Pearson syndrome, and progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO). KSS is a progressive multisystem disorder defined by onset before age 20 years, pigmentary retinopathy, and PEO; additional features include cerebellar ataxia, impaired intellect (intellectual disability, dementia, or both), sensorineural hearing loss, ptosis, oropharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction, exercise intolerance, muscle weakness, cardiac conduction block, and endocrinopathy. Pearson syndrome is characterized by sideroblastic anemia and exocrine pancreas dysfunction and may be fatal in infancy without appropriate hematologic management. PEO is characterized by ptosis, impaired eye movements due to paralysis of the extraocular muscles (ophthalmoplegia), oropharyngeal weakness, and variably severe proximal limb weakness with exercise intolerance. Rarely, a mtDNA deletion can manifest as Leigh syndrome.
Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, type 1
MedGen UID:
39125
Concept ID:
C0085859
Disease or Syndrome
Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I is characterized by the presence of 2 of 3 major clinical symptoms: Addison disease, and/or hypoparathyroidism, and/or chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (Neufeld et al., 1981). However, variable APS1 phenotypes have been observed, even among sibs. In addition, some patients may exhibit apparent isolated hypoparathyroidism, an early manifestation of APS1 with peak incidence at around age 5 years; over longterm follow-up, the development of additional features of APS1 may be observed (Cranston et al., 2022).
Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, type 2
MedGen UID:
39126
Concept ID:
C0085860
Disease or Syndrome
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type II (APS2), or Schmidt syndrome, is characterized by the presence of autoimmune Addison disease in association with either autoimmune thyroid disease or type I diabetes mellitus, or both. Chronic candidiasis is not present. APS2 may occur at any age and in both sexes, but is most common in middle-aged females and is very rare in childhood (summary by Betterle et al., 2004). See 240300 for a phenotypic description of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I (APS1).
Adrenoleukodystrophy
MedGen UID:
57667
Concept ID:
C0162309
Disease or Syndrome
X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) affects the nervous system white matter and the adrenal cortex. Three main phenotypes are seen in affected males: The childhood cerebral form manifests most commonly between ages four and eight years. It initially resembles attention-deficit disorder or hyperactivity; progressive impairment of cognition, behavior, vision, hearing, and motor function follow the initial symptoms and often lead to total disability within six months to two years. Most individuals have impaired adrenocortical function at the time that neurologic disturbances are first noted. Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) manifests most commonly in an individual in his twenties or middle age as progressive stiffness and weakness of the legs, sphincter disturbances, sexual dysfunction, and often, impaired adrenocortical function; all symptoms are progressive over decades. "Addison disease only" presents with primary adrenocortical insufficiency between age two years and adulthood and most commonly by age 7.5 years, without evidence of neurologic abnormality; however, some degree of neurologic disability (most commonly AMN) usually develops by middle age. More than 20% of female carriers develop mild-to-moderate spastic paraparesis in middle age or later. Adrenal function is usually normal.
Congenital adrenal hypoplasia, X-linked
MedGen UID:
87442
Concept ID:
C0342482
Disease or Syndrome
NR0B1-related adrenal hypoplasia congenita includes both X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (X-linked AHC) and Xp21 deletion (previously called complex glycerol kinase deficiency). X-linked AHC is characterized by primary adrenal insufficiency and/or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Adrenal insufficiency is acute infantile onset (average age 3 weeks) in approximately 60% of affected males and childhood onset (ages 1-9 years) in approximately 40%. HH typically manifests in a male with adrenal insufficiency as delayed puberty (i.e., onset age >14 years) and less commonly as arrested puberty at about Tanner Stage 3. Rarely, X-linked AHC manifests initially in early adulthood as delayed-onset adrenal insufficiency, partial HH, and/or infertility. Heterozygous females very occasionally have manifestations of adrenal insufficiency or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Xp21 deletion includes deletion of NR0B1 (causing X-linked AHC) and GK (causing glycerol kinase deficiency), and in some cases deletion of DMD (causing Duchenne muscular dystrophy). Developmental delay has been reported in males with Xp21 deletion when the deletion extends proximally to include DMD or when larger deletions extend distally to include IL1RAPL1 and DMD.
Bifunctional peroxisomal enzyme deficiency
MedGen UID:
137982
Concept ID:
C0342870
Pathologic Function
D-bifunctional protein deficiency is a disorder of peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation. See also peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase deficiency (264470), caused by mutation in the ACOX1 gene (609751) on chromosome 17q25. The clinical manifestations of these 2 deficiencies are similar to those of disorders of peroxisomal assembly, including X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD; 300100), Zellweger cerebrohepatorenal syndrome (see 214100) and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD; see 601539) (Watkins et al., 1995). DBP deficiency has been classified into 3 subtypes depending upon the deficient enzyme activity. Type I is a deficiency of both 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase; type II is a deficiency of hydratase activity alone; and type III is a deficiency of dehydrogenase activity alone. Virtually all patients with types I, II, and III have a severe phenotype characterized by infantile-onset of hypotonia, seizures, and abnormal facial features, and most die before age 2 years. McMillan et al. (2012) proposed a type IV deficiency on the basis of less severe features; these patients have a phenotype reminiscent of Perrault syndrome (PRLTS1; 233400). Pierce et al. (2010) noted that Perrault syndrome and DBP deficiency overlap clinically and suggested that DBP deficiency may be underdiagnosed.
Adrenomyodystrophy
MedGen UID:
337494
Concept ID:
C1846044
Disease or Syndrome
An extremely rare genetic endocrine disease with characteristics of primary adrenal insufficiency, dystrophic myopathy, hepatic steatosis, severe psychomotor delay, megalocornea, failure to thrive, chronic constipation, and terminal bladder ectasia which can lead to death. There have been no further descriptions in the literature since 1982.
Adrenal hypoplasia, cytomegalic type
MedGen UID:
348509
Concept ID:
C1859977
Disease or Syndrome
Combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency 34
MedGen UID:
1631307
Concept ID:
C4693450
Disease or Syndrome
COXPD34 is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from a defect in mitochondrial function. The phenotype is variable, but may include congenital sensorineural deafness, increased serum lactate, and hepatic and renal dysfunction. Neurologic function is relatively preserved (summary by Menezes et al., 2015). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency, see COXPD1 (609060).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Molnár Á, Kövesdi A, Szücs N, Tóth M, Igaz P, Rácz K, Patócs A
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2016 Aug;85(2):180-8. Epub 2016 Feb 18 doi: 10.1111/cen.13022. PMID: 26800219
Jadoul M, Ferrant A, De Plaen JF, Crabbé J
J Endocrinol Invest 1991 Feb;14(2):87-91. doi: 10.1007/BF03350272. PMID: 2061574

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Saari V, Holopainen E, Mäkitie O, Laakso S
Eur J Endocrinol 2020 Nov;183(5):513-520. doi: 10.1530/EJE-20-0516. PMID: 33107435
Bruserud Ø, Oftedal BE, Landegren N, Erichsen MM, Bratland E, Lima K, Jørgensen AP, Myhre AG, Svartberg J, Fougner KJ, Bakke Å, Nedrebø BG, Mella B, Breivik L, Viken MK, Knappskog PM, Marthinussen MC, Løvås K, Kämpe O, Wolff AB, Husebye ES
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016 Aug;101(8):2975-83. Epub 2016 Jun 2 doi: 10.1210/jc.2016-1821. PMID: 27253668Free PMC Article
Pura M, Kreze A Jr, Kentos P, Vanuga P
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2010 Mar;118(3):151-7. Epub 2009 Apr 8 doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1202275. PMID: 19358090
Bensing S, Brandt L, Tabaroj F, Sjöberg O, Nilsson B, Ekbom A, Blomqvist P, Kämpe O
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2008 Nov;69(5):697-704. Epub 2008 Aug 22 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03340.x. PMID: 18727712
Thomsen AF, Kvist TK, Andersen PK, Kessing LV
Psychoneuroendocrinology 2006 Jun;31(5):614-22. Epub 2006 Mar 20 doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.01.003. PMID: 16545526

Diagnosis

Takahashi K, Kagami S, Kawashima H, Kashiwakuma D, Suzuki Y, Iwamoto I
Intern Med 2016;55(9):1223-8. Epub 2016 May 1 doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5392. PMID: 27150885
Betterle C, Morlin L
Endocr Dev 2011;20:161-172. Epub 2010 Dec 16 doi: 10.1159/000321239. PMID: 21164269
Cappa M, Bizzarri C, Vollono C, Petroni A, Banni S
Endocr Dev 2011;20:149-160. Epub 2010 Dec 16 doi: 10.1159/000321236. PMID: 21164268
Burke MP, Opeskin K
Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1999 Mar;20(1):60-5. doi: 10.1097/00000433-199903000-00015. PMID: 10208340
Kozak GP
Am Fam Physician 1977 May;15(5):124-35. PMID: 193387

Therapy

Betterle C, Morlin L
Endocr Dev 2011;20:161-172. Epub 2010 Dec 16 doi: 10.1159/000321239. PMID: 21164269
Pura M, Kreze A Jr, Kentos P, Vanuga P
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2010 Mar;118(3):151-7. Epub 2009 Apr 8 doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1202275. PMID: 19358090
Oelkers W, Diederich S, Bähr V
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1992 Jul;75(1):259-64. doi: 10.1210/jcem.75.1.1320051. PMID: 1320051
Kelver ME, Nagamani M
Fertil Steril 1985 Sep;44(3):423-5. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)48872-2. PMID: 2993040
Kozak GP
Am Fam Physician 1977 May;15(5):124-35. PMID: 193387

Prognosis

Saari V, Holopainen E, Mäkitie O, Laakso S
Eur J Endocrinol 2020 Nov;183(5):513-520. doi: 10.1530/EJE-20-0516. PMID: 33107435
Bruserud Ø, Oftedal BE, Landegren N, Erichsen MM, Bratland E, Lima K, Jørgensen AP, Myhre AG, Svartberg J, Fougner KJ, Bakke Å, Nedrebø BG, Mella B, Breivik L, Viken MK, Knappskog PM, Marthinussen MC, Løvås K, Kämpe O, Wolff AB, Husebye ES
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016 Aug;101(8):2975-83. Epub 2016 Jun 2 doi: 10.1210/jc.2016-1821. PMID: 27253668Free PMC Article
Tsai SL, Green J, Metherell LA, Curtis F, Fernandez B, Healey A, Curtis J
Horm Res Paediatr 2016;85(1):35-42. Epub 2015 Dec 10 doi: 10.1159/000441843. PMID: 26650942
Bensing S, Brandt L, Tabaroj F, Sjöberg O, Nilsson B, Ekbom A, Blomqvist P, Kämpe O
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2008 Nov;69(5):697-704. Epub 2008 Aug 22 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03340.x. PMID: 18727712
Agarwal G, Bhatia E, Pandey R, Jain SK
Natl Med J India 2001 Jan-Feb;14(1):23-5. PMID: 11242694

Clinical prediction guides

Zheng WB, Li LJ, Zhao DC, Wang O, Jiang Y, Xia WB, Li M
Mol Med Rep 2020 Aug;22(2):1285-1294. Epub 2020 Jun 12 doi: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11227. PMID: 32627016Free PMC Article
Bensing S, Brandt L, Tabaroj F, Sjöberg O, Nilsson B, Ekbom A, Blomqvist P, Kämpe O
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2008 Nov;69(5):697-704. Epub 2008 Aug 22 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03340.x. PMID: 18727712
Thomas JB, Petrovsky N, Ambler GR
Pediatr Diabetes 2004 Dec;5(4):207-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-543X.2004.00056.x. PMID: 15601364
Myhre AG, Undlien DE, Løvås K, Uhlving S, Nedrebø BG, Fougner KJ, Trovik T, Sørheim JI, Husebye ES
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002 Feb;87(2):618-23. doi: 10.1210/jcem.87.2.8192. PMID: 11836294
Agarwal G, Bhatia E, Pandey R, Jain SK
Natl Med J India 2001 Jan-Feb;14(1):23-5. PMID: 11242694

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