Which condition is characterized by primary adrenal failure?

Addison's disease is characterized by primary adrenal failure, resulting from the destruction of the adrenal cortex, leading to insufficient production of corticosteroids, including cortisol and aldosterone. This condition can be caused by autoimmune processes, infections (like tuberculosis), or other infiltrative diseases.

Patients with Addison's disease often present with symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, hyperpigmentation of the skin, and hypotension, particularly during times of stress or illness, due to the lack of cortisol's effects in maintaining vascular tone and response to stress.

In contrast, Cushing's syndrome involves excessive cortisol production, often due to an adrenal adenoma or pituitary adenoma (Cushing's disease), whereas hyperaldosteronism and Conn's syndrome specifically refer to excess production of aldosterone, often from an adrenal adenoma, which leads to the retention of sodium and water, and subsequent hypertension. None of these conditions represent primary adrenal failure, making Addison's disease the correct choice for the condition characterized by that phenomenon.