Table 2.

Major Etiologies of PAI and Associated Features

EtiologyAssociated Features
Autoimmune
    IsolatedNot associated with other autoimmune disorders
    APS type 1 (APECED)Chronic cutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism
    APS type 2Autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes
Adrenal—infiltration/injury
    Adrenal hemorrhageAssociated with sepsis, anticoagulants, anti-cardiolipin/lupus anti-coagulant syndrome
    Adrenal metastasesMalignancies: lung, breast, colon, melanoma, lymphoma
    Infections: adrenalitisTuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, CMV, candidiasis, histoplasmosis, syphilis, African trypanosomiasis, paracoccidioidomycosis (eg, in South America)
    InfiltrationHemochromatosis, primary amyloidosis
    Bilateral adrenalectomyProcedure for intractable Cushing's syndrome or bilateral pheochromocytoma
CAH: most forms can cause salt lossCommonest cause of PAI in children (80%); may be diagnosed in older individuals
    21-Hydroxylase deficiencyCommonest type of CAH is 21-hydroxylase deficiency, with associated hyperandrogenism
    11β-hydroxylase deficiencyHyperandrogenism, hypertension (in older children and adults)
    3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase II deficiencyAmbiguous genitalia in boys, hyperandrogenism in girls
    P450 side-chain cleavage deficiency (CYP11A1 mutations)XY sex reversal
    P450 oxidoreductase deficiencySkeletal malformations, abnormal genitalia
    Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (StAR mutations)XY sex reversal
Adrenal hypoplasia congenitaX-linked NROB1, Xp21 deletion (with Duchenne's muscular deficiency), SF-1 mutations (XY sex reversal), IMAGe syndrome
ACTH insensitivity syndromesType 1: ACTH receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor gene MC2R
Type 2: MRAP
Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (MCM4, NNT, TXNRD2)
TripleA (Allgrove's) syndrome, achalasia, Addison's disease, alacrima, AAAS gene mutation
Drug-inducedAdrenal enzyme inhibitors: mitotane, ketoconazole, metyrapone, etomidate, aminoglutethimide, drugs that may accelerate cortisol metabolism and induce adrenal insufficiency
T4 also accelerates cortisol metabolism (at least in part through stimulation of 11β-HSD2)
CTLA-4 inhibitors may enhance autoimmunity and cause PAI
Other metabolic disordersMitochondrial disease (rare)
Adrenoleukodystrophy in males
Wolman's disease
EtiologyAssociated Features
Autoimmune
    IsolatedNot associated with other autoimmune disorders
    APS type 1 (APECED)Chronic cutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism
    APS type 2Autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes
Adrenal—infiltration/injury
    Adrenal hemorrhageAssociated with sepsis, anticoagulants, anti-cardiolipin/lupus anti-coagulant syndrome
    Adrenal metastasesMalignancies: lung, breast, colon, melanoma, lymphoma
    Infections: adrenalitisTuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, CMV, candidiasis, histoplasmosis, syphilis, African trypanosomiasis, paracoccidioidomycosis (eg, in South America)
    InfiltrationHemochromatosis, primary amyloidosis
    Bilateral adrenalectomyProcedure for intractable Cushing's syndrome or bilateral pheochromocytoma
CAH: most forms can cause salt lossCommonest cause of PAI in children (80%); may be diagnosed in older individuals
    21-Hydroxylase deficiencyCommonest type of CAH is 21-hydroxylase deficiency, with associated hyperandrogenism
    11β-hydroxylase deficiencyHyperandrogenism, hypertension (in older children and adults)
    3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase II deficiencyAmbiguous genitalia in boys, hyperandrogenism in girls
    P450 side-chain cleavage deficiency (CYP11A1 mutations)XY sex reversal
    P450 oxidoreductase deficiencySkeletal malformations, abnormal genitalia
    Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (StAR mutations)XY sex reversal
Adrenal hypoplasia congenitaX-linked NROB1, Xp21 deletion (with Duchenne's muscular deficiency), SF-1 mutations (XY sex reversal), IMAGe syndrome
ACTH insensitivity syndromesType 1: ACTH receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor gene MC2R
Type 2: MRAP
Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (MCM4, NNT, TXNRD2)
TripleA (Allgrove's) syndrome, achalasia, Addison's disease, alacrima, AAAS gene mutation
Drug-inducedAdrenal enzyme inhibitors: mitotane, ketoconazole, metyrapone, etomidate, aminoglutethimide, drugs that may accelerate cortisol metabolism and induce adrenal insufficiency
T4 also accelerates cortisol metabolism (at least in part through stimulation of 11β-HSD2)
CTLA-4 inhibitors may enhance autoimmunity and cause PAI
Other metabolic disordersMitochondrial disease (rare)
Adrenoleukodystrophy in males
Wolman's disease

Abbreviations: APECED, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy; CMV, cytomegalovirus; CTLA-4, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4; CYP, cytochrome P; HSD, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; 11β-HSD2, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2; IMAGe, intrauterine growth restriction, metaphyseal dysplasia, adrenal hypoplasia congenital, genital abnormalities; MC2R, melanocortin 2 receptor gene; MCM4, minichromosome maintenance-deficient 4; MRAP, melanocortin receptor accessory protein; NNT, nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase; StAR, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; TXNRD2, thioredoxin reductase 2. [Derived from E. Charmandari E, et al: Adrenal insufficiency. Lancet. 2014;383:2152–2167 (164), with permission. © Elsevier.]

Table 2.

Major Etiologies of PAI and Associated Features

EtiologyAssociated Features
Autoimmune
    IsolatedNot associated with other autoimmune disorders
    APS type 1 (APECED)Chronic cutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism
    APS type 2Autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes
Adrenal—infiltration/injury
    Adrenal hemorrhageAssociated with sepsis, anticoagulants, anti-cardiolipin/lupus anti-coagulant syndrome
    Adrenal metastasesMalignancies: lung, breast, colon, melanoma, lymphoma
    Infections: adrenalitisTuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, CMV, candidiasis, histoplasmosis, syphilis, African trypanosomiasis, paracoccidioidomycosis (eg, in South America)
    InfiltrationHemochromatosis, primary amyloidosis
    Bilateral adrenalectomyProcedure for intractable Cushing's syndrome or bilateral pheochromocytoma
CAH: most forms can cause salt lossCommonest cause of PAI in children (80%); may be diagnosed in older individuals
    21-Hydroxylase deficiencyCommonest type of CAH is 21-hydroxylase deficiency, with associated hyperandrogenism
    11β-hydroxylase deficiencyHyperandrogenism, hypertension (in older children and adults)
    3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase II deficiencyAmbiguous genitalia in boys, hyperandrogenism in girls
    P450 side-chain cleavage deficiency (CYP11A1 mutations)XY sex reversal
    P450 oxidoreductase deficiencySkeletal malformations, abnormal genitalia
    Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (StAR mutations)XY sex reversal
Adrenal hypoplasia congenitaX-linked NROB1, Xp21 deletion (with Duchenne's muscular deficiency), SF-1 mutations (XY sex reversal), IMAGe syndrome
ACTH insensitivity syndromesType 1: ACTH receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor gene MC2R
Type 2: MRAP
Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (MCM4, NNT, TXNRD2)
TripleA (Allgrove's) syndrome, achalasia, Addison's disease, alacrima, AAAS gene mutation
Drug-inducedAdrenal enzyme inhibitors: mitotane, ketoconazole, metyrapone, etomidate, aminoglutethimide, drugs that may accelerate cortisol metabolism and induce adrenal insufficiency
T4 also accelerates cortisol metabolism (at least in part through stimulation of 11β-HSD2)
CTLA-4 inhibitors may enhance autoimmunity and cause PAI
Other metabolic disordersMitochondrial disease (rare)
Adrenoleukodystrophy in males
Wolman's disease
EtiologyAssociated Features
Autoimmune
    IsolatedNot associated with other autoimmune disorders
    APS type 1 (APECED)Chronic cutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism
    APS type 2Autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes
Adrenal—infiltration/injury
    Adrenal hemorrhageAssociated with sepsis, anticoagulants, anti-cardiolipin/lupus anti-coagulant syndrome
    Adrenal metastasesMalignancies: lung, breast, colon, melanoma, lymphoma
    Infections: adrenalitisTuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, CMV, candidiasis, histoplasmosis, syphilis, African trypanosomiasis, paracoccidioidomycosis (eg, in South America)
    InfiltrationHemochromatosis, primary amyloidosis
    Bilateral adrenalectomyProcedure for intractable Cushing's syndrome or bilateral pheochromocytoma
CAH: most forms can cause salt lossCommonest cause of PAI in children (80%); may be diagnosed in older individuals
    21-Hydroxylase deficiencyCommonest type of CAH is 21-hydroxylase deficiency, with associated hyperandrogenism
    11β-hydroxylase deficiencyHyperandrogenism, hypertension (in older children and adults)
    3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase II deficiencyAmbiguous genitalia in boys, hyperandrogenism in girls
    P450 side-chain cleavage deficiency (CYP11A1 mutations)XY sex reversal
    P450 oxidoreductase deficiencySkeletal malformations, abnormal genitalia
    Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (StAR mutations)XY sex reversal
Adrenal hypoplasia congenitaX-linked NROB1, Xp21 deletion (with Duchenne's muscular deficiency), SF-1 mutations (XY sex reversal), IMAGe syndrome
ACTH insensitivity syndromesType 1: ACTH receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor gene MC2R
Type 2: MRAP
Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (MCM4, NNT, TXNRD2)
TripleA (Allgrove's) syndrome, achalasia, Addison's disease, alacrima, AAAS gene mutation
Drug-inducedAdrenal enzyme inhibitors: mitotane, ketoconazole, metyrapone, etomidate, aminoglutethimide, drugs that may accelerate cortisol metabolism and induce adrenal insufficiency
T4 also accelerates cortisol metabolism (at least in part through stimulation of 11β-HSD2)
CTLA-4 inhibitors may enhance autoimmunity and cause PAI
Other metabolic disordersMitochondrial disease (rare)
Adrenoleukodystrophy in males
Wolman's disease

Abbreviations: APECED, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy; CMV, cytomegalovirus; CTLA-4, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4; CYP, cytochrome P; HSD, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; 11β-HSD2, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2; IMAGe, intrauterine growth restriction, metaphyseal dysplasia, adrenal hypoplasia congenital, genital abnormalities; MC2R, melanocortin 2 receptor gene; MCM4, minichromosome maintenance-deficient 4; MRAP, melanocortin receptor accessory protein; NNT, nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase; StAR, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; TXNRD2, thioredoxin reductase 2. [Derived from E. Charmandari E, et al: Adrenal insufficiency. Lancet. 2014;383:2152–2167 (164), with permission. © Elsevier.]

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