Addison's disease physical examination

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Physical Examination

Appearance

The patient may be dehydrated and lethargic.

Vitals

Blood Pressure

• Low blood pressure
• Orthostatic hypotension

Skin

• Pigmented skin and mucous membranes - darkening (hyperpigmentation) of the skin, including areas not exposed to the sun; characteristic sites are skin creases (e.g. of the hands), nipples, and the inside of the cheek (buccal mucosa), also old scars may darken.
• Vitiligo may be present.
• Absence of axillary and pubic hair in females as a result of loss of adrenal androgens.
• Pallor may be present.

Neck

• Goiter may be present.

Extremities

• Weakness

Neurologic

• Confusion may be present
• Seizures may be present.

Because the symptoms progress slowly, they are usually ignored until a stressful event like an illness or an accident causes them to become worse. This is called an addisonian crisis, or acute adrenal insufficiency. In most cases, symptoms are severe enough that patients seek medical treatment before a crisis occurs. However, in about 25 percent of patients, symptoms first appear during an addisonian crisis.

Addisonian crisis

An "Addisonian crisis" or "adrenal crisis" is a constellation of symptoms that indicate severe adrenal insufficiency. This may be the result of either previously undiagnosed Addison's disease, a disease process suddenly affecting adrenal function (such as adrenal hemorrhage), or an intercurrent problem (e.g. infection, trauma) in the setting of known Addison's disease. Additionally, this situation may develop in those on long-term oral glucocorticoids who have suddenly ceased taking their medication. It is also a concern in the setting of myxedema coma; thyroxine given in that setting without glucocorticoids may precipitate a crisis.

Untreated, an Addisonian crisis can be fatal. It is a medical emergency, usually requiring hospitalization. Characteristic physical examination findings are:

Appearance

The patient may be dehydrated and confused.

Vitals

• Low blood pressure

Neurologic

• Confusion, psychosis
• Convulsions