Adrenal atrophy natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maryam Hadipour, M.D.[2]

Overview

Adrenal atrophy is mainly due to the prolonged malfunction of the adrenal gland. If left untreated, the patients are mainly at risk of a lethal condition, called adrenal crisis. Common complications of the adrenal atrophy and its malfunction include hypoglycemia, dehydration, weight loss, and disorientation. Prognosis is generally poor, due to the irreversibility of atrophy.

Natural History

The onset of clinical manifestations is dependent to the etiology of the atrophy. However, the symptoms of the adrenal atrophy usually develop in patient’s 30s to 50s and in their 60s in the case of secondary adrenal atrophy. If left untreated, the patients are mainly at risk of a lethal condition, called adrenal crisis. Symptoms include low blood pressure, profound weakness, high fever, nausea and vomiting, dehydration, confusion and coma.

Complications

Common complications of the adrenal atrophy and its malfunction include hypoglycemia, dehydration, weight loss, and disorientation. Additional signs and symptoms include weakness, tiredness, dizziness, low blood pressure that falls further when standing (orthostatic hypotension), cardiovascular collapse, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These problems may develop gradually and insidiously.

Prognosis

Prognosis is generally poor, due to the irreversibility of atrophy and the one out of 200 patients with adrenal atrophy dies each year due to the adrenal crisis.