Frequency and characterization of medicinal Cushing's Syndrome in patients admitted to a national reference center from 2015 to 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Drug-induced Cushing's Syndrome represents the most frequent cause of hypercortisolism, constituting a public health problem due to its multiple systemic complications and its impact on patients' quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and complications of drug-induced Cushing's syndrome in patients hospitalized at the National Hospital during the period 2015-2023.

Materials and methods: An Observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross- sectional study. Clinical records of adult patients with a diagnosis of drug-induced Cushing's syndrome were analyzed. Demographic, clinical, therapeutic and complications variables were evaluated by descriptive statistics.

Results: 101 patients were included (66.3% women), mean age 58.55±12.5 years. 95.1% received corticosteroids by medical prescription, mainly for management of autoimmune rheumatologic diseases (52.4% SLE, 32.8% RA). Prednisone was the most usedcorticosteroid (83.9%). Treatment was maintained for more than 3 months in 94.06% of patients. The most frequent complications were metabolic (84.2%), dermatologic (76.2%) and osteomuscular (51.5%).

Conclusion: Medicated or exogenous Cushing's syndrome is temporary and eventually subsides with the suspension of therapy. Female sex was predominant, mean age was over 50 years. Most of the patients had medical indication for corticotherapy and had used it for more than three months. The most frequently used corticosteroid was prednisone.  The most frequent complications were metabolic.