Psychiatry AdvisorAdrenal Insufficiency Hospitalizations Associated with Psychosocial Factors

Psychosocial Factors: A Hidden Trigger for Adrenal Insufficiency in Young Women

A recent study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology has shed light on the significant association between psychosocial factors and hospital admissions due to adrenal insufficiency, particularly among women aged 20 to 29 years. This comprehensive research underscores the importance of considering personal and social factors in managing this condition and preventing adrenal crises.

Key Points:

• The study was conducted in New South Wales, Australia, using hospital admission data from the Admitted Patient Data Collection.
• The study population consisted of 877 adult patients, with women making up 64.9% of this group.
• Admission rates were 22% for adrenal crisis, 32.3% for primary adrenal insufficiency, 45.0% for secondary adrenal insufficiency, and 4.9% for congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
• The average admission rate was almost twice as high among women compared with men.
• Women also constituted the majority of adrenal crisis admissions.
• Across the study duration, the 3-year moving average rate increased by 298.0% among women and by 68.2% among men.
• Common comorbid conditions upon admission included type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, major psychiatric disorders, and alcohol/drug use.
• A comorbid diagnosis of at least 1 psychosocial problem was found among 22.1% of admissions.
• Admissions associated with at least 1 psychosocial factor increased over the study period from 5.8 to 33.4 per million.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, adrenal insufficiency affects 1 in 100,000 people.

More on Adrenal Insufficiency