Comparative Mortality in Adrenal Insufficiency Patients.

OBJECTIVE.—: This article presents an analysis of mortality data in individuals with a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency compared to a matched population from a United Kingdom database.

BACKGROUND.—: Adrenal insufficiency is an easily treated disease, but if undiagnosed and/or glucocorticoid stress dosing is not appropriately implemented at times of illness, then death may occur.

METHODS.—: Tabular data on patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency relative to matched controls was generated using the pixel method on the all-cause mortality graph published in the Ngaosuwan et al study.

RESULTS.—: Calculated annual mortality rates, excess death rates, and interval mortality rates were higher for both primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency compared to matched controls. And the increased mortality risk appeared to be greater in those with primary adrenal insufficiency compared to those with secondary adrenal insufficiency.

CONCLUSION.—: Those with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency have increased mortality compared to their matched cohort, especially in the early years after their diagnosis.