title: Treatable Bedridden Elderly -Recovery from Flexion Contracture after Cortisol Replacement in a Patient with Isolated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Deficiency.
abstract: Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency (IAD) is a rare disorder with diverse clinical presentations. A 79-year-old man was bedridden for six months due to flexion contractures of the bilateral hips and knees, along with hyponatremia. He was diagnosed with IAD based on the results of endocrine tests. After one month of corticosteroid replacement, he recovered and was able to stand up by himself. Although flexion contracture is a rare symptom of IAD, steroid replacement therapy may be effective, even for seemingly irreversibly bedridden elderly patients. In bedridden elderly patients with flexion contractures, we should consider and look for any signs of adrenal insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine, Tazuke-Kofukai, Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Takamasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Norihiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Terada
authors.forename: Yoshiki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujikawa
authors.forename: Takushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000172:deficiency*; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003286:Contracture / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone