Epidemiology
Primary adrenal insufficiency is a rare condition with an overall prevalence of about 100 to 140 cases per million and an incidence of 4:1,000,000 per year in developed countries.[8] In Europe, prevalence varies by region and has increased from 40 cases per million in the UK in the 1960s to more than 220 cases per million in Iceland in recent years.[9] Factors influencing this increase include underestimation in the past and likely aetiological changes over time.[8] In developed countries, autoimmunity is the main cause of primary adrenal insufficiency and, as women are at greater risk than men of acquiring an autoimmune disease, this cohort is predominantly women.[10][11]
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer