Related Experiment Videos
Intermittent Cushing's disease in hirsute women
M Bals-Pratsch1, J P Hanker, D H Hellhammer
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde der Universität Münster, Germany.
Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Diagnosing intermittent Cushing
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Hirsute women present with symptoms suggestive of Cushing's syndrome.
- Classical endocrine tests often fail to diagnose hypercortisolism in these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify diagnostic methods for intermittent Cushing's disease (ICD) in hirsute women.
- To characterize the clinical and endocrine features of ICD.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 97 hirsute women for Cushing's syndrome.
- Utilized corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH)-tests, insulin tolerance tests, and diurnal salivary cortisol profiles.
- Assessed overnight dexamethasone suppression and insulin stimulation tests for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Only 2 of 97 women had confirmed Cushing's disease.
- 17 patients suspected of Cushing's disease were not diagnosed by standard tests.
- Seven patients were diagnosed with intermittent Cushing's disease (ICD), characterized by intermittent hypercortisolism and specific symptoms.
- Two of three surgically treated patients had pituitary microadenomas removed.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent Cushing's disease (ICD) is a distinct form of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism.
- Diurnal salivary cortisol profiles, dexamethasone suppression, and insulin stimulation tests are recommended for diagnosing ICD.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of ICD are crucial for managing associated symptoms.