Cushing syndrome
S1 Vol.4, No.1, February 2014
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©Endocrine Society of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Journal of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism 2014; 1: 1-12
Cushing syndrome
Authors: Dr. Noel Somasundaram, Dr. Henry Rajaratnam, Prof. Chandrika Wijeyarathne, Dr. Prasad Katulanda,
Dr. Uditha Bulugahapitiya, Dr. Sajith Siyambalapitiya, Dr. Charles Antonypillai, Dr. Manilka Sumanathilake,
Dr. Chaminda Garusinghe, Dr. Dimuthu Muthukuda, Dr. M. W. S. Niranjala, Dr. Kavinga Gunawardena,
Dr. Nayananjani Karunasena, Dr. W. S. T. Swarnasri, Dr. M. Aravinthan, Dr. D. C. Kottahachchi, Dr. N. A. S. Ariyawansa,
Dr. L. D. Ranasinghe, Dr. K. D. Liyanarachchi
List of abreviations
ACTH Adreno Cortico Trophic Hormone
BIPPS Bilateral Inferior Petrosal Sinus
Sampling
CS Cushing Syndrome
CD Cushing Disease
HDDST High Dose Dexamethasone
Suppression Test
HPA AXIS Hypothalamo Pituitary Adrenal Axis
LDDST Low Dose Dexamethasone
Suppression Test
ODST Overnight Dexamethasone
Suppression Test
UFC Urine Free Cortisol
GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate
CRH Corticotropin Releasing Hormone
PCOS Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
TSS Transphenoidal Surgery
Introduction
Cushing syndrome (CS) comprises symptoms and signs
associated with prolonged exposure to inappropriately
elevated levels of free plasma glucocorticoids. Iatrogenic
CS is the most common form. Endogenous CS, may be
caused by either excess ACTH secretion or independent
adrenal overproduction of cortisol.
Epidemiology
Endogenous CS is a very rare entity, with an annual inci-
dence of 2-3 cases per million individuals. The female:
male ratio is 3:1. In patients whom initial cure was not
obtained, a 2 to 3 fold increase in mortality is reported.
Clinical features of CS
CS often presents a diagnostic challenge, particularly in
the early stages when the signs and symptoms are non-
specific. As the clinical features are non-specific, pres-
ence of highly discriminative clinical features (Table 1)
should prompt further biochemical tests.
Clinical guidelines: The Endocrine Society of Sri Lanka