Primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency are underrecognized conditions among emergency department patients, affecting an estimated 10% to 20% of critically ill patients. The signs and symptoms of cortisol deficit can be nonspecific and wide-ranging, and identification and swift treatment with stress-dosing of hydrocortisone is vital to avoid life-threatening adrenal crisis. This episode offers a review of the literature regarding adrenal disorders, from diagnosis to management to disposition.
This episode is hosted by Jeff Nusbaum, MD, and Nachi Gupta, MD. This month’s issue was authored by Drs. Cutright, Ducey, and Barthold of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and it was edited by Dr. Knight of the University of Cincinnati and Dr. Zammit of the University of Rochester. Thank you, team, for your efforts putting this together.
Links and resources:
EB Medicine – www.ebmedicine.net
Recognizing and Managing Adrenal Disorders in the Emergency Department – http://www.ebmedicine.net/topics.php?paction=showTopic&topic_id=550
Last Updated on January 25, 2023
Sam Ashoo, MD, FACEP, is board certified in emergency medicine and clinical informatics. He serves as EB Medicine’s editor-in-chief of interactive clinical pathways and FOAMEd blog, and host of EB Medicine’s EMplify podcast. Follow him below for more…
