Citation

Sinha N, Rahman F, Shin M, Burbridge P. BMJ Case Rep. 2012; 2012(online): online.

Affiliation

Acute General Medicine Department, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bcr.12.2011.5328

PMID

22787188

Abstract

Primary adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison's disease) is a potentially life-threatening endocrinological disorder caused by destruction of the adrenal cortex with consequent reduction in glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid function. Although this is a rare condition, misdiagnosis can result in fatal consequences. Previous case reports have described the neuropsychiatric manifestations of Addison's disease which can result in misdiagnosis. Here the authors describe how a psychiatric history combined with atypical biochemical results can point towards a mistaken diagnosis of poisoning and hence disguise an Addisonian crisis.

Language: en