title: Adrenal insufficiency.
abstract: Adrenal insufficiency is the clinical manifestation of deficient production or action of glucocorticoids, with or without deficiency also in mineralocorticoids and adrenal androgens. It is a life-threatening disorder that can result from primary adrenal failure or secondary adrenal disease due to impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Prompt diagnosis and management are essential. The clinical manifestations of primary adrenal insufficiency result from deficiency of all adrenocortical hormones, but they can also include signs of other concurrent autoimmune conditions. In secondary or tertiary adrenal insufficiency, the clinical picture results from glucocorticoid deficiency only, but manifestations of the primary pathological disorder can also be present. The diagnostic investigation, although well established, can be challenging, especially in patients with secondary or tertiary adrenal insufficiency. We summarise knowledge at this time on the epidemiology, causal mechanisms, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of this disorder.
authors: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: evangelia.charmandari@googlemail.com.
authors: Evangelia
authors: E
authors: Charmandari
authors: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Nicolas C
authors: NC
authors: Nicolaides
authors: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: George P
authors: GP
authors: Chrousos
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications