[Study of antidiuretic hormones (arginine vasopressin) in 24 cases of primary adrenal insufficiency].

24 Addisonian patients were compared to 27 healthy subjects. Radioimmunoassay of plasma antidiuretic hormone showed higher concentrations of Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) in Addisonians than in normals, in spite of lower natremia and plasma osmolality. Statistical analysis showed a negative correlation between AVP and osmolality in Addisonian patients. On the other hand, no correlation was found between AVP and cortisol, or AVP and PRA. These results suggested an inadequate secretion of antidiuretic hormone in Addison disease. Under substitutive treatment, glucocorticoids alone didn't completely lower AVP concentration which was only normalized after administration of mineralocorticoids.