       Document 1150
 DOCN  M94A1150
 TI    Adrenal insufficiency (AI) in seven AIDS patients.
 DT    9412
 AU    Baraia-Etxaburu J; Astigarraga B; Zubero Z; Munoz J; Teira R; Santamaria
       JM; Hosp. Basurto, Bilbao, Spain.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):198 (abstract no. PB0806). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371425
 AB    OBJECTIVE: Adrenal gland involvement is a commun finding at autopsy in
       patients died with AIDS. In contrast, AI is infrequent, since more than
       a 90% destruction of the gland is needed. METHODS: In the past five
       years, seven patients have been diagnosed of AI in our Unit. All of them
       had a typical clinical presentation and altered serum hormonal levels
       (basal cortisol and post-ACTH). Abdominal CT scan was performed in five
       patients. RESULTS: All patients had been previously diagnosed of AIDS
       (CD4 cell count below 50/mcL). All of them had 4 6 5 of following
       symptoms or signs: fever, hypotension, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and
       hyperpigmentation. There was evidence of disease produced by CMV (2
       cases), MAI (3 cases) and M. tuberculosis (2 cases), which was thought
       to be causative of the adrenal disease, though no histopathologic
       confirmation could be achieved. No patient received steroid-synthesis
       inhibitors. Signs of organ affection could not be detected by CT-scan.
       All patients improved dramatically with hormonal replacement.
       CONCLUSIONS: AI is an infrequent but not exceptional event in AIDS
       patients. Adrenal function studies are warranted when clinical
       presentation suggest AI; this is particularlly true in patients with CMV
       or microbacterial infection. A good response to treatment is to be
       expected in every case.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS  Adrenal Gland
       Hypofunction/*COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS  AIDS-Related Opportunistic
       Infections/COMPLICATIONS  Human  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

