Rapidly fatal Addison's disease: three case reports.

Abstract

Recently, three young individuals died unexpectedly outside hospital. Their past medical histories revealed complaints of weakness, anorexia and nausea, none of which had led to adequate medical examination. The present paper calls for vigilance when patients present with non-specific manifestations such as anorexia and weakness. Autopsies confirmed that the deaths were caused by adrenalitis, a diagnosis unsuspected at the time of death. The value of different post-mortem laboratory findings is discussed.