Abstract 79: Adrenal insufficiency in the elderly population

Background: In India the proportion of geriatric population is steadily rising. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (AI) may overlap with aging. This study aims to describe the profile of AI in the elderly. Aims and Objectives: To describe the demographic profile, clinical features and laboratory parameters in elderly individuals with biochemically proven adrenal insufficiency and to identify the indications for prolonged steroid therapy in subjects with tertiary AI. Results: 50 adults aged > 60 years were enrolled for the study, this included 29 males (58%), 21 females (42%), with a mean age of 69.27. The symptomatology of the patients were, abdominal pain (14/7:p<0.05), anorexia (60/30:p<0.05), joint pains (66/33:p<0.05) dizziness (18/9), lack of energy (80/40), myalgia (44/22), fatigue (83/43), in terms of signs proximal myopathy was found to be more in males (p< 0.05). In this study 72% of the population had history of steroid usage, most commonly for joint pains. Conclusions: Steroid usage was a common cause for AI in the geriatric population. AI in the elderly can present with vague symptoms. A high index of suspicion is indispensable to test and diagnose this, the carers and HCWs should be cautioned about the ill effects of unprescribed and prolonged steroid medication.