Patients' self administration of hydrocortisone.

f?rM<<71990;301:1312 Properly managed, Addison's disease carries a normal life expectancy.12 The only related risk of death is inadequate glucocorticoid replacement treatment at times of illness or other stresses; this can lead to an adrenal crisis. All patients should know how to adjust their steroid dose when they are ill, and they should know which illnesses require such adjustment. We believe that all patients should have a supply of injectable hydrocortisone at home and be able to give themselves an injection if vomiting persists or if there is delay in obtaining medical attention. As it is the policy of our unit to instruct all patients in these matters we audited our patients to determine their knowledge.