Based on recent data, a total number of about 29 000 patients with adrenal
insufficiency can be calculated for Germany, and about 1500 fatalities due to
adrenal crises have to be expected within the next decade. Management of adrenal
crises is still unsatisfactory. The objectives of this study were to establish
consensus for diagnostic criteria, prevention strategies, and treatment
recommendations for adrenal crises. The study was conducted from January 2022 to
April 2023, using Delphi technique. Four rounds of questionnaires were sent to
45 experts, selected by a coordinating group on behalf of the adrenal section of
the German Society of Endocrinology. The survey was implemented online using the
REDCap web application. Responses were captured anonymously. During the Delphi
process the expert panel developed diagnostic criteria to identify patients
likely to have an adrenal crisis. Education about adrenal insufficiency among
patients as well as non-endocrine medical personnel were regarded as highly
important. It was suggested that recommendations for the management of adrenal
insufficiency have to be simplified and made widely available. This study
provides pragmatic strategies to identify and treat patients prone to adrenal
crisis, thereby highlighting the need for an improved management of patients
with adrenal insufficiency.