Does recovery of adrenal function occur in patients with autoimmune Addison's disease?

OBJECTIVE

We earlier discovered partial recovery in a patient with autoimmune Addison's disease. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of adrenocortical recovery in patients with autoimmune adrenalitis.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PATIENTS: Twenty-seven adult patients with autoimmune Addison's disease on stable glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement therapy (RT) attending the Department of Endocrinology of a university teaching hospital were included in this study.

METHODS

Adrenocortical function was assessed by performing an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) (250 μg Synacthen) stimulation test (SST) after interruption of current glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid RT. A normal adrenal response was defined as a serum cortisol concentration ≥500 nm 30 or 60 min after stimulation. Partial recovery was defined as a cortisol concentration ≥100 and ≤500 nm after stimulation.

RESULTS

In 17 patients (63%), serum cortisol concentrations remained undetectable 30 and 60 min after the administration of ACTH. None of the remaining 10 participants had a normal response. Only one patient reached a cortisol concentration of 100 nm after 60 min, but this could not be confirmed during a second SST.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cross-sectional study among 27 patients with autoimmune adrenalitis, no new cases of adrenocortical recovery were found.