Florid Cushing’s Syndrome

Review
In: Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
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Excerpt

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) results from long-standing exposure to supraphysiologic concentrations of circulating glucocorticoids. Untreated CS is associated with a high morbidity and increased mortality rates mainly because of its metabolic abnormalities and the risk of infection. When the presentation is florid, the diagnosis is usually straightforward (Tables 1 and 2). However, diagnosis might be complicated by the non-specificity of some of the clinical symptoms; notably, the signs that most reliably distinguish CS from obesity are those of protein wasting – the presence of thin skin, easy bruising, and proximal muscle weakness.

Publication types

  • Review