Extra-adrenal endocrine deficiencies in Addison's disease

Abstract

The frequency and nature of extra-adrenal endocrine deficiencies in patients with Addison's disease have been studied in an endocrine outpatient population. Of thirty-two patients who had been adequately followed, 41 per cent had evidence of a second endocrine gland deficiency. Six patients, or 19 per cent, had diabetes mellitus. Seven patients, or nearly 23 per cent, had primary gonadal disease. In this small series, extra-adrenal involvement of the endocrine glands was marked in patients with idiopathic adrenal insufficiency (50 per cent), but not significantly increased in those with tuberculous adrenal insufficiency. Premature ovarian failure preceded the development of clinical Addison's disease by five to fourteen years in all three patients in whom this combination of failures occurred. The data suggest that idiopathic Addison's disease represents a generalized tendency toward endocrine organ failure with adrenal insufficiency perhaps the most prominent and life threatening component.