Pseudo-Cushing syndrome is hypercortisolism secondary to an underlying illness, as opposed to the exogenous or ectopic cortisol exposure that causes Cushing syndrome. Patients with pseudo-Cushing syndrome present with the same symptoms as Cushing syndrome: lipodystrophy, moon facies, abdominal striae, bruising, hirsutism, lethargy, weight gain, abnormal menses, osteopenia or fracture, and proximal muscle weakness. However, the patient will not have a history of glucocorticoid use or the presence of a tumor that is ectopically secreting cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Rather than this ectopic or exogenous hypercortisolism, pseudo-Cushing syndrome is caused by overactivation of the normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Common causes of pseudo-Cushing syndrome include pregnancy, alcohol use disorder, morbid obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, end-stage renal disease, severe major depressive disorder, and poorly controlled diabetes. Treatment of the underlying illness will resolve the pseudo-Cushing syndrome.
Pseudo-Cushing syndrome
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Synopsis
![Pseudo-Cushing syndrome : Buffalo hump, Emotional stress or trauma, Moon facies, Proximal muscle weakness, Ecchymosis, Hirsutism, Hypertension, Striae](/visualdx/sympticonswm/2679.png?r=6aef26ce9)
Codes
ICD10CM:
E27.0 – Other adrenocortical overactivity
SNOMEDCT:
237737000 – Pseudo-cushing's syndrome
E27.0 – Other adrenocortical overactivity
SNOMEDCT:
237737000 – Pseudo-cushing's syndrome
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Last Updated:02/27/2020