INCREASED RENAL PHOSPHATE EXCRETION IN CUSHING'S SYNDROME

1967 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Camanni ◽  
O. Losana ◽  
F. Massara ◽  
G. M. Molinatti

ABSTRACT Renal phosphate excretion was measured in 23 cases of Cushing's syndrome using the phosphate excretion index (PEI) described by Nordin & Fraser (1960). The majority of the patients had an increased PEI associated with a tendency towards hypophosphoraemia. Regression of the syndrome due to intrasellar implantation of 90Y or to removal of an adrenal neoplasm led to prompt correction of both the PEI and the phosphoraemia. In patients with adrenal insufficiency the PEI values fell below the lower limit of the normal.

2005 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Bhattacharyya ◽  
K Kaushal ◽  
D J Tymms ◽  
J R E Davis

Steroid withdrawal syndrome (SWS) usually refers to relapse of the disease being treated after withdrawal of glucocorticoid therapy, or the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency which occur when glucocorticoids are rapidly reduced or stopped. A less well-recognised form of SWS is that which develops when patients experience a symptom complex similar to that of adrenal insufficiency despite acceptable cortisol levels. We describe three patients who presented with this form of SWS following surgical treatment for endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. All responded well to a short-term increase in the dose of glucocorticoid replacement therapy, with the median duration of the syndrome being 10 months (range 6–10 months). Trough serum cortisol levels above 100 nmol/l, with peaks between 460 and 750 nmol/l were documented in the first two patients at presentation with SWS. It is thought that the syndrome may result from development of tolerance to glucocorticoids, and mediators considered to be important in its development include interleukin-6, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, vasopressin, and central noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. The exact underlying mechanism for SWS remains unclear. However, with increasing recommendations for use of lower doses of replacement glucocorticoids, its incidence may increase. Physicians need to be aware of this condition, which is self-limiting and easily treated by a temporary increase in the dose of glucocorticoid replacement therapy. It is possible that a slower glucocorticoid tapering regimen than that used in the standard postoperative management of patients undergoing pituitary surgery may reduce the risk of development of SWS.


2007 ◽  
Vol 157 (5) ◽  
pp. 561-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Johanssen ◽  
Bruno Allolio

AbstractContextMifepristone (RU 486) blocks the action of cortisol by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor and, therefore, is of potential therapeutic value in Cushing's syndrome. However, research in endogenous hypercortisolism has been hampered by the controversy related to the use of mifepristone for inducing abortion. Currently, new studies are planned to better define the role of RU 486 in Cushing's syndrome. This paper reviews the available evidence concerning the therapeutic effects and adverse events of RU 486 in Cushing's syndrome.Evidence acquisitionOriginal articles and reviews were identified using a PubMed search strategy covering the time period until February 2007.Evidence synthesisTreatment of Cushing's syndrome with mifepristone has been reported in a total of 18 patients, with daily doses ranging from 5 to 30 mg/kg. Case reports indicate that the mifepristone-induced receptor blockade may lead to significant clinical improvement in patients with Cushing's syndrome in whom surgery and inhibitors of adrenal steroidogenesis fail to control hypercortisolism. Due to its rapid onset of action, mifepristone may be particularly useful in acute crises, e.g. in cortisol-induced psychosis. Side effects include adrenal insufficiency and, as a result of its antiprogestin action, endometrial hyperplasia in long-term treatment. Adrenal insufficiency can be assessed only by careful clinical evaluation, as the hormonal parameters are not reliable during receptor blockade, and is rapidly reversed by exogenous dexamethasone. Well-designed larger clinical trials are needed to better assess the value of this interesting drug in the treatment of Cushing's syndrome.


1963 ◽  
Vol 269 (24) ◽  
pp. 1286-1289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard L. Steinbach ◽  
Max Noetzli ◽  
M. B. Ozonoff

2019 ◽  
Vol 181 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie H A Broersen ◽  
Femke M van Haalen ◽  
Tina Kienitz ◽  
Olaf M Dekkers ◽  
Christian J Strasburger ◽  
...  

Background Adrenal crisis, the most feared complication of adrenal insufficiency, is a potentially life-threatening state of acute glucocorticoid deficiency. After successful surgery for Cushing’s syndrome, many patients develop (transient) adrenal insufficiency. The incidence of adrenal crisis in patients treated for hypercortisolism is unknown. Methods Cohort study included consecutive patients with Cushing’s syndrome with adrenal insufficiency after surgery from Leiden and Berlin from 2000 to 2015. We summarized the incidence of adrenal crisis, compared patients with and without adrenal crisis regarding potential risk factors for its occurrence and assessed the effect of better education in time on incidence of adrenal crisis. Results We included 106 patients, of whom 19 patients had a total of 41 adrenal crises. There were 9.0 crises per 100 patient-years at risk (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.7–12.0). All crises occurred while on hydrocortisone replacement. The risk ratio for a recurrent crisis was 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2–4.6). No clear change in incidence of adrenal crisis due to better education in time was observed. There was no difference in recurrence rate between patients with, and without any crisis, but patients with adrenal crisis had more often pituitary deficiencies. Conclusions The incidence of adrenal crises after treatment for Cushing’s syndrome is substantial, and patients who suffered from an adrenal crisis have higher risk for recurrent crisis. Adrenal crisis tends to present early after remission of Cushing’s syndrome, which is probably the period of severest HPA axis suppression, despite in general higher hydrocortisone replacement doses for withdrawal complaints in this period. Additional pituitary hormone deficiencies may be a risk marker for increased risk of adrenal crisis. However, further risk factor analysis is needed to identify risks for a first crisis. Effective education methods to prevent adrenal crises should be identified and implemented, including stress instructions by trained nursing staff before hospital discharge.


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