Facial and body manifestations of diseases (3) : Addison's disease

Sasaki Haruka, Kamimura Seiichiro, Okumura Makoto

doi:10.15017/546

Addison's disease resulted from chronic primary adrenocortical failure. It was first described by Thomas Addison (1793-1860) in lithographs, published in 1855, which contains an illustrated description of eleven cases of the disease. In Addison's original series, tuberculosis was the commonest cause of primary adrenal failure. With the decline in the prevalence of tuberculosis, the incidence of tuberculous Addison's disease has fallen and idiopathic chronic adrenal failure (autoimmune adrenalitis) was now increased. Several diseases are associated with autoimmune Addison's disease and may thus suggest the diagnosis. These include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypoparathyroidism, pernicious anemia and Type I diabetes mellitus. In Japan, tuberculosis is still now common cause. The most distinctive physical finding is hyperpigmentation. This results from increased melanin in the skin and mucous membranes, and is most readily seen in areas exposed to light or pressure. Its presence in association with any of other manifestation (weakness and fatigue, weightloss, anorexia, hypotension, postural symptoms etc) should lead to the suspicion of Addison's disease. In this report, we presented two typical cases with tuberculous Addison's disease, especially clinical appearances and described history of this disease.

Facial and body manifestations of diseases (3) : Addison's disease

Bibliographic Information

Search this article

Abstract

Journal

Details 詳細情報について

Export

Report a problem