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Addison's disease or primary adrenocortical deficiency results from destruction
of the adrenal cortex. Glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and sex steroid production
are all reduced. It is rare, with a prevalence of about 4 per 100 000 in
the UK. Autoimmune adrenalitis accounts increasingly for the condition as tuberculosis
has become less common. Notes (1): - primary and secondary adrenal
insufficiency share many clinical features - however, they differ in that only
primary adrenal insufficiency is characterized by mineralocorticoid deficiency
and by hyperpigmentation
Reference: - Nieman LK, Turner MLC.
Addison's disease. Clinics in Dermatology 2006; 24(4): 276-280.
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