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Endocrinology
Challenges of diagnosing and managing Addison’s disease in a resource-limited setting
  1. Issakwisa Habakkuk Mwakyula1,2,
  2. Peter Anael Kishimbo1,2,
  3. Mary Nzota1,2 and
  4. Anthony Nsojo3,4
  1. 1Internal Medicine, University of Dar es Salaam Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, Mbeya, Tanzania, United Republic of Tanzania
  2. 2Internal Medicine, Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, Mbeya, Tanzania, United Republic of Tanzania
  3. 3Microbiology and Immunology, Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, Mbeya, Tanzania, United Republic of Tanzania
  4. 4Microbiology and Immunology, University of Dar es Salaam Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, Mbeya, Tanzania, United Republic of Tanzania
  1. Correspondence to Dr Issakwisa Habakkuk Mwakyula; ozzanne{at}gmail.com

Abstract

This case from Tanzania involving a black woman in her 60s with Addison’s disease (AD) highlights the diagnostic and management challenges of this condition in a resource-limited setting. It underscores the need for increased awareness, better diagnostic facilities and more accessible treatment options for AD in Tanzania and other developing countries. The case also highlights the role of junior, inexperienced medical staff, which is common in Africa, in contributing to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This context is crucial for understanding the complexities involved in diagnosing and managing AD in such regions, where the disease can often go unrecognised due to overlapping symptoms with other common conditions and limited healthcare resources.

  • Autoimmunity
  • Adrenal disorders

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2024-259945

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    Footnotes

    • X @ozzanne

    • Contributors IHM and PAK were responsible for drafting the text, sourcing and editing clinical images, analysing investigation results and conducting critical revisions for important intellectual content. MN and AN provided final approval of the manuscript. IHM is the guarantor of the work, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the study.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.