Addison’s disease (also chronic adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism, and hypocorticism) is a rare, chronic endocrine disorder wherein the adrenal glands produce insufficient steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and often mineralocorticoids).
Lifelong, continuous treatment with steroid replacement therapy is required, with regular follow-up treatment and monitoring for other health problems.
The adjective "Addisonian" describes features of the condition, and patients suffering Addison’s disease.
While Addison's six patients in 1855 all had adrenal tuberculosis, the term "Addison's disease" does not imply an underlying disease process.
The frequency rate of Addison's disease in the human population is sometimes estimated at roughly 1 in 100,000.
Some research and information sites put the number closer to 40-60 cases per 1 million population (1/25,000-1/16,600).
Determining accurate numbers for Addison's is problematic at best and some incidence figures are thought to be underestimates.
Addison's can afflict persons of any age, gender, or ethnicity, but it typically presents in adults between 30 and 50 years of age. Research has shown no significant predispositions based on ethnicity. There was substantial secrecy surrounding his health during his years as president, and the 25th amendment to the U.S. constitution was introduced at least in part as a result of this secrecy.
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of John F. Kennedy's sisters, was believed to have Addison's disease as well.
- Popular singer Helen Reddy.
- Scientist Eugene Merle Shoemaker, co-discoverer of the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.
- French Carmelite nun and religious writer Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
- American artist Ferdinand Louis Schlemmer died from Addison's disease.
- Some have suggested that Jane Austen was an ''avant la lettre'' case, but others have disputed this.
- According to Dr. Carl Abbott, a Canadian medical researcher, Charles Dickens may also have been affected.
- Osama bin Laden may be an Addisonian. Lawrence Wright noted that bin Laden manifests all the key symptoms, such as "low blood pressure, weight loss, muscle fatigue, stomach irritability, sharp back pains, dehydration, and an abnormal craving for salt". Bin Laden is known to have consumed large amounts of the drug Sulbutiamine to treat his symptoms.
Further Reading
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"Addison's disease"
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