Cushing's syndrome is characterized by a series of systemic complications that increase cardiovascular risk and cause severe atherosclerotic damage that develops in parallel with an acquired metabolic syndrome. Short-term remission from hypercortisolism improves metabolic and vascular damages, but long-term remission from Cushing's syndrome seems to be associated with similar or worse metabolic and vascular damage, probably because of persistent abdominal obesity or insulin resistance years after normalization of cortisol secretion. Study results suggest that an increased cardiovascular risk also may persist in patients who undergo treatment with exogenous glucocorticoids after therapy withdrawal.

Screening studies in high-risk populations have suggested that Cushing's syndrome is more common than previously appreciated. Patients who have specific signs and symptoms or clinical diagnoses known to be associated with high cortisol should be considered for screening.

Cushing disease is the most common form of Cushing syndrome.

Cushing's Disease Diagnosis
The measurement of late-night salivary cortisol provides the most sensitive method for screening, and urine-free cortisol and low-dose dexamethasone suppression testing may be used for confirmation of the diagnosis of endogenous hypercortisolism.
     Another opinion - Diagnostic tests used to screen for Cushing's syndrome include 24-hour urine cortisol, the 1 mg dexamethasone suppresion test, and late night salivary cortisol. A normal screening test excludes the diagnosis of Cushing's. Patients with an abnormal screening test should be referred to an endocrinologist for complete evaluation of the pituitary-adrenal axis.

Cushing's Syndrome Treatment
The successful treatment of Cushing syndrome depends on specific therapy directed against the cause of hypercortisolism. In addition to surgical procedures, various drugs have been employed in the management of this difficult disease. Compounds with neuromodulatory properties have been effective in only a limited number of cases. These agents include serotonin antagonists (cyproheptadine, ketanserin, ritanserin), dopamine agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline), GABA agonists (valproic acid [sodium valproate]), and somatostatin analogs (octreotide).

Complications of Cushing's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome results from prolonged exposure to excess glucocorticoids. Patients with Cushing's syndrome may develop multiple metabolic problems including obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, depression, low bone mass, muscle atrophy, and hypogonadism. Cutaneous manifestations of hypercortisolism include skin atrophy, excessive bruising, purple striations, poor wound healing, facial plethora, vellous hypertrichosis and hirsutism.