In Addison's original series, tuberculosis was the most common condition resulting in primary adrenal failure. With the decline in the prevalence of this infection, however, the incidence of tuberculous Addison's disease has fallen and autoimmune adrenalitis is now the most common cause, accounting for more than seventy per cent of cases. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia or hypoplasia are not normally included as causes of Addison's disease.
Selective glucocorticoid deficiency can result from hereditary adrenocortical unresponsiveness to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).
