pseudo-Cushing syndrome

pseudo-Cushing syndrome

A condition in which there are certain clinical–truncal obesity and purple striae or biochemical–↑ urinary cortisol levels that fall short of those seen in Cushing syndrome abnormalities that overlap with Cushing syndrome; PCSs occurs with major depressive disorder, in middle-aged ♀ with obesity–HTN and DM, and in alcoholics Treatment ↓ weight, psychotherapy. Cf Cushing syndrome.

pseudo-Cushing syndrome

(sood′ō-koosh′ing) The presence of signs and symptoms of high cortisol levels in people who drink alcohol excessively, have anxiety and depression, severe obesity, or severe acute illness. All these conditions may falsely raise serum cortisol levels and mimic Cushing syndrome. True Cushing syndrome and pseudo-Cushing syndrome can usually be distinguished by repeated dexamethasone suppression tests and repeated measurements of urinary or salivary cortisol.