Addison Disease (Primary or Chronic Adrenocortical Insufficiency) By Ashley B Grossman, MD, University of Oxford; Fellow, Green-Templeton College Reviewed / Revised May 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Etiology Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Key Points Topic Resources Hyperpigmentation of Addison... Test Results That Suggest... Confirmatory Serum Testing... Addison disease is an insidious, usually progressive hypofunctioning of the adrenal cortex.