Abstract: Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,and treatments of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in the patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS),and to improve the clinician's understanding of the disease and provide evidences for its diagnosis and treatments. Methods: The clinical data of one patient with AIDS and AI were retrospectively analyzed and the diagnosis and treatments were summarized,and the relative literatures were reviewed. Results: The patient was clearly diagnosed as AIDS and AI after relevant examinations.The symptoms such as fatigue, nausea and vomiting of the patient were disappeared,the food intake of the patient was increased,and the electrolyte was normal after some treatments such as hormone replacement therapy(oral prednisone acetate 5.0 mg at 8:00 am. and 2.5 mg at 4:00 pm.) and symptomatic treatments.The patient died of a severe opportunistic infection when followed up for 37 d. Conclusion: The possibility of AI should be taken into account when the patients with AIDS have unexplained symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, weight loss and more characteristic manifestations such as orthostatic hypotension, hyponatremia or hyperkalemia.Early administration of glucocorticoid replacement therapy is feasible and effective.

Key words: adrenal insufficiency, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, human immunodeficiency virus, glucocorticoid