scholarly journals Predictive Accuracy of Delta Cortisol on Recovery of Adrenal Function in Patients With Drug Induced Cushing’s Syndrome With Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A91-A91
Author(s):  
Bo Bo San

Abstract There is a growing concern upon the finding of many drug induced Cushing’s syndrome because of inadvertent use of glucocorticoids (GC) either prescribed or as alternative medicine in Myanmar. These patients are presenting with diversity of clinical problems ranging from hypertension, diabetes to acute adrenal crisis due to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression and secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI). The present study aimed to assess the delta cortisol (the degree of cortisol increments) during the first short Synacthen test (SST) as a factor predictive of adrenal function recovery in patients with drug induced Cushing’ syndrome with secondary AI and to determine the proportion of patients who recovered from AI within six-month follow-up. This was a hospital based prospective analytical study that enrolled a total of 52 patients with drug induced Cushing’s syndrome with secondary AI from January 2018 to June 2019. Secondary AI is defined by morning basal serum cortisol ≤ 400 nmol/L with Synacthen stimulated peak cortisol level ≤ 550 nmol/L and serum ACTH < 60 pg/ml. The follow-up SSTs were performed at three-month and six-month after first SST, and the patients with morning basal serum cortisol > 400 nmol/L (or) Synacthen stimulated peak serum cortisol > 550 nmol/L during follow-up SSTs are defined as recovered adrenal function group. In this study, a total of 52 patients were treated with modified regimen of physiological dose of prednisolone with tapering schedule or stress dose GC based on the basal serum cortisol levels up to six months. Among them, nearly half (n=25 / 48.1%) of the patients with drug induced Cushing’s syndrome with secondary AI achieved normal adrenal function within six-month follow-up. It was found that mean values for delta cortisol were not statistically significant between recovered and non-recovered groups, 118.6 nmol/L (SD 72.3) and 97.2 nmol/L (SD 64.2) respectively. The delta cortisol during the first SST could not predict strongly (AUC - 0.6, 95% CI - 0.44 to 0.76, P = 0.2) the recovery of adrenal function in patients with drug induced Cushing’s syndrome with secondary AI and it was inconsistent with previous studies. The older age of the patients, oral route of administration of drugs causing Cushing’s syndrome and comorbid hypertension were found to be more significant in the non-recovered group. In conclusion, the present study did not support the evidence that the delta cortisol during the first SST could predict adrenal function recovery in patients with drug induced Cushing’ syndrome with secondary AI. Reference: (1) Baek et al., 2016; Recovery of Adrenal Function in Patients with Glucocorticoids Induced Secondary AI. Endocrinol Metab.31, pp. 153–160. (2) Pofi et al., 2018; The Short Synacthen Test Can Be Used to Predict Recovery of HPA Axis Function. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.103(8), pp. 3050–3059.

2018 ◽  
Vol 179 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Osswald ◽  
Timo Deutschbein ◽  
Christina M Berr ◽  
Eva Plomer ◽  
Anne Mickisch ◽  
...  

Objective Aim of our study was to analyze long-term outcome of patients with the ectopic Cushing’s syndrome (ECS) compared to patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) regarding cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal and psychiatric comorbidities. Design Cross-sectional study in patients with ECS and CD in two German academic tertiary care centers. Methods Standardized clinical follow-up examination was performed including health-related quality of life (QoL) in 21 ECS patients in long-term remission (≥18 months since successful surgery). Fifty-nine patients with CD in remission served as controls. Results Time from first symptoms to diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) was shorter in ECS than in CD (8.5 (IQR: 30.3) vs 25 (IQR: 39.0) months, P = 0.050). ECS patients had lower self-reported psychiatric morbidity compared to CD (19% vs 43%, P = 0.050) at follow-up. Moreover, female ECS patients reported favorable scores for QoL in the SF-36 questionnaire (mental health: 92 (IQR: 30) vs 64 (IQR: 32) in CD, P = 0.010) and a Cushing-specific QoL questionnaire (73 (IQR: 18) vs 59 (IQR: 36) in CD, P = 0.030). In a pooled analysis of ECS and CD patients, QoL correlated with time from first symptoms until diagnosis of CS, but not with urinary free cortisol levels or serum cortisol after dexamethasone at the time of diagnosis. Long-term outcomes regarding hypertension, metabolic parameters, bone mineral density and grip strength were comparable in ECS and CD. Conclusions Our data support the concept that time of exposure to glucocorticoid excess appears to be a better predictor than peak serum cortisol levels at the time of diagnosis regarding long-term psychiatric morbidity and QoL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A629-A630
Author(s):  
Marie Helene Schernthaner-Reiter ◽  
Peter Wolf ◽  
Alexander Micko ◽  
Magda Bögl ◽  
Ms, Hannes Beiglböck ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Hyper- and hypofunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in Cushing’s syndrome (CS) and Addison’s disease (AD) is associated with disturbances of classical feedback mechanisms. Time to recovery of adrenal function after CS remission depends on the etiology of CS and is longest after adrenal CS. To date there are no data on the recovery of corticotroph function following CS remission, and the synacthen test is recommended for testing adrenal function in patients with hypopituitarism. Aim Here we aim to test corticotroph function after long-term cure of Cushing’s syndrome following bilateral adrenalectomy (BADx), compared to patients with primary glucocorticoid deficiency due the presence of 21-hydroxylase antibodies or adrenoleucodystrophy, a pathophysiological model of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated data from patients with CS and AD attending our endocrine department between 2000 and 2020, using the following inclusion criteria: BADx performed for pituitary/ectopic/adrenal or occult CS or primary adrenal insufficiency confirmed either by the presence of 21-hydroxylase antibodies or genetically in adrenoleucodystrophy. Results: Full data were available for 93 patients: 43 patients with BADx due to CS (18 patients with pituitary CS, 14 patients with adrenal CS and 11 patients with ectopic/occult CS, F:M 29:14, mean age at BADx 45.4 years age range 13-74 years) and 50 patients with AD (47 cases with positive 21-hydroxylase antibodies, 3 cases with adrenoleucodystrophy, F:M ratio 27:23, mean age at diagnosis 35 years, age range 6-57 years). The observation period was 537.5 patient-years after BADx (mean 12.5 years, range 1-38 years) and 647 patient-years following AD diagnosis (mean 14.2 years, range 1-46 years). At the last visit, there were no differences between the hormone substitution regimes between the groups. ACTH concentrations during the whole observation period and also at the last visit were lowest in patients with adrenal CS (56.5 pg/ml) when compared to patients with AD (487 pg/ml, p<0.001), or with patients with pituitary CS (377.5 pg/mL, p=0.011). ACTH values in patients with AD in long-term follow-up were significantly higher when compared to all patients with CS (141 pg/mL, p<0.001). Conclusion: These data highlight a long-term defective corticotroph function in patients with CS following BADx. Low ACTH concentrations long term after BADx for adrenal CS corroborate that corticotroph function fails to recover after CS cure. In the light of these findings, the utility of the synacthen test for excluding secondary/tertiary adrenal insufficiency following CS remission is disputable and remains to be evaluated in future studies dedicated to CS cohorts.


Author(s):  
K J Malik ◽  
K Wakelin ◽  
S Dean ◽  
D H Cove ◽  
P J Wood

The referral of a patient with features of Cushing's syndrome but with suppressed plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations prompted us to study the effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) therapy on the adrenal axis. 11 women (aged 54–82 years) who were receiving 200–400 mg/day MPA were studied. Of these, four had subnormal plasma cortisol responses to a short synacthen test, and two more had borderline responses (30 min post-synacthen plasma cortisol results of 411 and 511 nmol/L). We conclude that suppression of the adrenal axis occurs relatively frequently in patients on MPA and that such patients should be checked for evidence of suppression before MPA therapy is withdrawn.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Daniela Calinescu ◽  
Amalia Ioana Arhire ◽  
Carmen Gabriela Barbu

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzad Najafipour ◽  
Amir Bahrami ◽  
Mitra Niafar ◽  
Jalil Houshyar ◽  
Monireh Halimi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion syndrome occurs in 10% of all patients with adrenocorticotropic-hormone-dependent hypercortisolism. It is usually associated with overt malignancies or with occult and indolent tumors. This study aims to confirm the source of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone in four patients with ectopic Cushing’s syndrome over time. Case presentation A 38-year-old Iranian man with Cushing’s syndrome underwent bilateral adrenalectomy since the source of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion was not localized and pituitary imaging was normal. A whole-body scan revealed a right-lung tumoral mass with mediastinal lymph node metastasis. The mass was assumed a lung carcinoid tumor with mediastinal adenopathy. Right-lung mid-zone lobectomy and mediastinal lymphadenectomy were done. In a 47-year-old Iranian man with Cushing’s syndrome, whole-body computed tomography scan revealed a pulmonary nodule in the posterior segment of the left lower lobe of the lung. The third case was a 25-year-old Iranian man who presented with symptoms and signs of Cushing’s syndrome. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging revealed a microadenoma 5 × 9 mm. Whole-body scan showed abnormal focal somatostatin receptors analog avid lesion in the posterior aspect of inferior third of right lung, highly suggestive of ectopic adrenocorticotropic-hormone-producing tumor. The last case was a 43-year-old Iranian woman with Marfan syndrome with a history of mitral and aortic valve replacement and chronic dissection of the aorta, who presented with symptoms and signs of Cushing’s syndrome. She underwent bilateral adrenalectomy 1 year later owing to failure to locate ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome. Whole-body scan showed abnormally increased radiotracer uptake in the midline of the skull base and posterior aspect of the middle zone of left hemithorax and bed of left lobe of thyroid. Conclusion The clinical spectrum of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion syndrome is wide, and distinguishing Cushing’s disease from ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion syndrome is difficult. Initial failure to identify a tumor is common. Pulmonary carcinoid or occult source of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion syndrome is usually the cause. In occult cases of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone in which the tumor cannot be localized, serial follow-up with serial computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or scintigraphy is recommended for several years until the tumor can be localized and treated.


Author(s):  
Roberto Attanasio ◽  
Liana Cortesi ◽  
Daniela Gianola ◽  
Claudia Vettori ◽  
Fulvio Sileo ◽  
...  

Summary Cushing’s syndrome is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although surgery is the first-line treatment, drugs can still play a role as an ancillary treatment to be employed while waiting for surgery, after unsuccessful operation or in patients unsuitable for surgery. We were asked to evaluate a 32-year-old male waiting for cardiac transplantation. Idiopathic hypokinetic cardiomyopathy had been diagnosed since 6 years. He was on treatment with multiple drugs, had a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter and an external device for the support of systolic function. Physical examination showed severely impaired general status, signs of hypercortisolism and multiple vertebral compression fractures. We administered teriparatide, and the few evaluable parameters supported the diagnosis of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism: serum cortisol was 24.2 µg/dL in the morning and 20.3 µg/dL after overnight 1 mg dexamethasone, urinary free cortisol (UFC) was 258 µg/24 h and ACTH 125 pg/mL. Pituitary CT was negative. Pasireotide 300 µg bid was administered and uptitrated to 600 µg bid. Treatment was well tolerated, achieving dramatic improvement of clinical picture with progressive normalization of serum cortisol and ACTH levels as well as UFC. After 4 months, the patient underwent successful heart transplantation. Many complications ensued and were overcome. Pituitary MRI was negative. On pasireotide 300 µg bid and prednisone 2.5 mg/day (as part of immunosuppressive therapy), morning serum cortisol and ACTH were 15.6 µg/dL and 54 pg/mL respectively, UFC was 37 µg/24 h, fasting glucose: 107 mg/dL and HbA1c: 6.5%. In conclusion, primary treatment with pasireotide achieved remission of hypercortisolism, thus allowing the patient to undergo heart transplantation. Learning points: Untreated Cushing’s syndrome is associated with ominous prognosis. First-line treatment is surgery (at pituitary or adrenal, according to disease localization). A few drugs are available to treat hypercortisolism. Pasireotide is a multi-ligand somatostatin analog approved for treatment of hypercortisolism. Primary treatment with pasireotide was effective in a patient with severe Cushing’s syndrome, allowing him to undergo heart transplantation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21
Author(s):  
Tamanna Bahar ◽  
Shaila Rahman ◽  
Lilian Catherene Gomes ◽  
Mohammad Murad Hossain ◽  
Zulfia Zinat Chowdhury ◽  
...  

Background: Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excessive activation of glucocorticoid receptor. Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome is the prevalent one world -wide .Patients with Cushing’s syndrome has a high prevalence of osteoporosis. Objective: To see the prevalence of osteoporosis in Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome patient. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 211 diagnosed case of Cushing’s syndrome during the time period of December 2013 to December 2018 in outpatient department of Dhaka Medical College and Health and Hope Hospital. Final diagnosis was done on the basis of clinical feature, serum basal cortical level and BMD. We found male were prevalent one (56%).80.56% showed biochemical evidence of Cushing’s syndrome. BMD was done in 113 patients compared with a reference population by means of T score, 17.69% patient in osteoporotic range. Conclusion: The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia is age and sex independent. Judicial use of steroid and co administration with calcium, bisphosphonate can prevent osteoporosis. Treatment with bisphosphonates should be considered in all patients (irrespective of age) with Cushing’s syndrome with a low BMD to reduce fracture. Bangladesh J Medicine Jan 2020; 31(1) : 18-21


2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-202
Author(s):  
Prapai Dejkhamron ◽  
Chupong Ittiwut ◽  
Hataitip TangNgam ◽  
Kanokkarn Sunkonkit ◽  
Rungrote Natesirinilkul ◽  
...  

Infantile Cushing’s syndrome is potentially found as part of McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) which is caused by postzygotic somatic mutations of the GNAS gene. MAS is typically characterized by a triad of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, café-au-lait skin pigmentation, and precocious puberty or other endocrine hyperfunction. Here, we describe a 2-month-old female infant with features of Cushing’s syndrome without café au lait spots, polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, and clinical evidence of other endocrine hyperfunction. Investigations demonstrated adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent Cushing’s syndrome with bilateral adrenal gland enlargement. Whole-exome sequencing of leukocytes identified a de novo heterozygous novel missense mutation (c.521G>A, p.Cys174Tyr) in the GNAS gene. The patient experienced clinical improvement of Cushing’s syndrome during ketoconazole treatment. Her clinical course was complicated by Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. She also had shortened activated partial thromboplastin time indicating a hypercoagulable state and resulting in pulmonary embolism. She eventually manifested gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty at the age of 13 months after ketoco­nazole was discontinued. This patient demonstrated that Cushing syndrome can be the presenting sign of MAS in infancy. A high index of suspicion followed by genetic analysis is essential in order to establish a diagnosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Ricardo Álvarez Martínez ◽  
Rosa María Tomé Rodríguez ◽  
María Álvarez Ariza ◽  
Carlos Spuch ◽  
Jose M. Olivares

This is a case of a patient affected by Cushing syndrome that was admitted at the hospital due to hormonal problems. He had presented psychiatric symptoms that were mistakenly considered not directly connected to the pathology causing the clinical condition, but a mere psychological reaction to it.


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