Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2024 Feb;39(1):73-82. doi: 10.3803/EnM.2024.1894. Epub 2024 Jan 22.
Adrenal insufficiency (AI) can be classified into three distinct categories based on its underlying causes: primary adrenal disorders, secondary deficiencies in adrenocorticotropin, or hypothalamic suppression from external factors, most commonly glucocorticoid medications used for anti-inflammatory therapy. The hallmark clinical features of AI include fatigue, appetite loss, unintentional weight loss, low blood pressure, and hyponatremia. Individuals with primary AI additionally manifest skin hyperpigmentation, hyperkalemia, and salt craving. The diagnosis of AI is frequently delayed due to the non-specific symptoms and signs early in the disease course, which poses a significant challenge to its early detection prior to an adrenal crisis. Despite the widespread availability of lifesaving glucocorticoid medications for decades, notable challenges persist, particularly in the domains of timely diagnosis while simultaneously avoiding misdiagnosis, patient education for averting adrenal crises, and the determination of optimal replacement therapies. This article reviews recent advancements in the contemporary diagnostic strategy and approaches to optimal treatment for AI.
肾上腺功能不全 (AI) 可以根据其潜在原因分为三类:原发性肾上腺疾病、促肾上腺皮质激素的继发性缺乏,或外部因素引起的下丘脑抑制,最常见的是用于抗炎治疗的糖皮质激素药物。AI 的标志性临床特征包括疲劳、食欲减退、非故意体重减轻、低血压和低钠血症。原发性 AI 患者还表现出皮肤色素沉着、高钾血症和盐渴求。由于疾病早期症状和体征不具有特异性,AI 的诊断常常被延迟,这对在发生肾上腺危象之前进行早期检测构成了重大挑战。尽管数十年来广泛使用救命的糖皮质激素药物,但仍存在显著挑战,特别是在及时诊断同时避免误诊、避免肾上腺危象的患者教育以及确定最佳替代治疗方面。本文综述了 AI 的当代诊断策略和最佳治疗方法的最新进展。
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