This question was asked during Session 1 of the Mastering IMHA program:
Question: How might you expect hypoadrenocorticism to affect the severity and outcomes in IMHA?
Answer (provided by John Loftus, PhD, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, Nutrition)):
I think it depends on if they were well controlled and previously diagnosed with Addison’s. If that was the case, they will likely not have much difference in severity. If they weren’t, they could also have an Addisonian crisis due to their IMHA - so that could certainly increase their severity. The other consideration is that Addison’s could have an immune-mediated basis. So, that would make me more likely to be careful about tapering too quickly and perhaps indefinitely immunomodulating the patient.
