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Alternative names Return to top
Cushing's syndrome - corticosteroid induced; Corticosteroid-induced Cushing's syndrome; Iatrogenic Cushing's syndromeDefinition Return to top
Exogenous Cushing's syndrome is a form of Cushing's syndrome caused by administration of glucocorticoid (also called corticosteroid) hormones, such as prednisone.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Cushing's syndrome is named after the surgeon Harvey Cushing. It is a group of clinical signs and symptoms caused by a chronic excess of glucocorticoids, which are hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoids affect many body functions and are essential for survival, but when the level of these hormones is too high, it can cause serious problems. The most important glucocorticoid is the stress hormone cortisol.
The pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain, regulates cortisol production by secreting a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
Exogenous (caused by something outside the body) Cushing's syndrome is caused by administration of synthetic glucocorticoids, such as prednisone or dexamethasone, for therapeutic purposes (for example, to treat asthma).
Endogenous (caused by something within the body) Cushing's syndrome may be caused by ACTH-producing tumors of the pituitary gland (a condition called Cushing's disease), malignant tumors of other organs that produce ACTH, and cortisol-producing tumors of one or both of the adrenal glands.Symptoms Return to top
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
The suggested treatment is slow withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy under medical supervision. In situations where the medication cannot be discontinued because of the underlying disease (for example, if steroids are needed to treat severe asthma), every effort should be made to reduce the possibilty of developing complications.
Excess glucocortoids can raise blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and increase bone loss.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The effects of adrenal atrophy caused by chronic drug administration should be reversible by withdrawing the drug.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are taking a corticosteroid drug and you develop symptoms of Cushing's syndrome.
Prevention Return to top
Awareness of the signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome may permit early intervention for patients prescribed corticosteroids.
Update Date: 8/6/2004 Updated by: Aniket R. Sidhaye, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |