Diabetic Ketoacidosis as the First Manifestation of Ectopic Cushing’s Syndrome

Posted on December 9, 2025 by MaryO

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis is an exceptionally rare initial manifestation of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome. A 42-year-old woman with multiple cardiovascular risk factors was admitted to the emergency room with diabetic ketoacidosis. During stabilization, florid Cushing’s syndrome was suspected and confirmed biochemically as ACTH-dependent. Further biochemical and imaging surveys led to the diagnosis of a 25×15 mm nodule in the lingula. Thoracic surgery was performed, and pathology revealed a neuroendocrine tumor positive for ACTH.

We reviewed eight additional cases of diabetic ketoacidosis associated with Cushing’s syndrome from PubMed. Clinicians should bear in mind this etiology of diabetic ketoacidosis based on clinical signs and younger patients with multiple, age-atypical comorbidities. This would permit the expedited targeted stabilization of Cushing’s syndrome and the suitable institution of the diagnostic approach and treatment for this challenging syndrome.

Introduction

Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a rare disease resulting from pathological glucocorticoid excess of neoplastic origin, with an annual incidence of two/three cases per 1.000.000 inhabitants [1]. The severity of CS varies widely from mild to severe and, if left untreated, can be fatal due to the increased risk of cardiovascular events and opportunistic infections. Endogenous CS is classified as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent (80%) and -independent (20%) forms. ACTH-dependent CS is further divided into Cushing’s disease (68%) when the pituitary is the source of excess ACTH, or ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS; 12%) when the cause is a non-pituitary neoplasia of neuroendocrine origin. EAS has an annual incidence of one case per 1.250.000 inhabitants and is more frequent in men [1]. It can be secondary to an aggressive small-cell lung carcinoma (19%), but the majority of cases arise from indolent lesions such as bronchial and thymic (combined: 33%) or pancreatic (12%) neuroendocrine tumors (NET) [1-3]. These indolent lesions usually evolve clinically over 6 to 24 months, whereas carcinomas have a faster onset. Symptoms and signs of excess cortisol in EAS are usually indistinguishable from Cushing’s disease. The most discriminatory signs of CS are plethora, purplish striae, proximal myopathy, and spontaneous ecchymosis. Multiple vascular risk factors, namely, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and obesity (especially central adiposity), occurring in a young patient, should also raise suspicion for CS [2]. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as the inaugural presentation of CS is very rare [1-3]. We searched through PubMed and reviewed articles in English where this association was reported using keywords such as “Cushing’s syndrome”, “Diabetic ketoacidosis”, “hypercortisolism”, and “Ectopic ACTH syndrome”. CS presenting initially with DKA is, as to this day, limited to eight case reports [4-11]. The clinical recognition of this syndrome as a very rare etiology of DKA is of paramount importance, as it is usually severe and relates to sepsis and several biochemical, hematologic, and hemodynamic derangements that should be addressed expeditiously with targeted drugs [3].

Here, we describe a female patient with florid clinical EAS uncovered upon her admission to the Emergency Room (ER) due to DKA. We searched through PubMed and reviewed articles in English where this association was reported, using keywords such as “Cushing’s syndrome”, “Diabetic ketoacidosis”, “hypercortisolism”, and “Ectopic ACTH syndrome”.

This article was previously presented as a meeting abstract at the 2024 ENDO, The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting on June 3, 2024.

Case Presentation

A 42-year-old woman was admitted in June 2022 to the ER due to severe DKA and hypokalemia (Table 1) and mild coronavirus disease. Physical examination at initial presentation was also remarkable for grade 2 hypertension with hypertensive retinopathy. Florid Cushingoid features, including a “buffalo hump”, plethora, hirsutism, abdominal ecchymosis, and marked proximal limb sarcopenia were noted (Figure 1).

Patient's-Cushingoid-features
Figure 1: Patient’s Cushingoid features

The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). A multimodal treatment plan was initiated, including intravenous insulin (total daily dose: 1.2U/Kg) as per the protocol for DKA, antihypertensives, and prophylactic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin. After resolution of DKA and hydroelectrolytic disturbances, a gasometric follow-up revealed metabolic alkalosis (pH 7.529). The patient was then able to report a six-month history of weight gain, secondary amenorrhea, impaired concentration and memory, ecchymoses, and proximal myopathy with frequent falls and dependency on relatives for daily life activities. No chronic diarrhea or flushing was reported. She also reported a fungal pneumonia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension in the last four months, and a diagnosis of DM treated with metformin two weeks before her admission to the ER. Family history was unremarkable. Biochemical surveys (Table 1) revealed ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism, low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. High-dose dexamethasone suppression (HDDS) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation tests were not suggestive of a pituitary source of ACTH (Table 1). Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging was normal. While waiting for further investigations regarding the source of excess ACTH, the patient was started on 750 mg/day of metyrapone in three divided doses. The patient was started and discharged from the ward with hydrocortisone 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg at midday and in the afternoon. The dose of metyrapone was carefully adjusted during two months according to morning serum cortisol, but was rapidly decreased and stopped due to spontaneous clinical resolution of CS. In the postoperative follow-up (total: 23 months), Cushingoid features (plethora, dorsal fat pad, ecchymosis, central adiposity) continued to disappear, and she regained muscle mass and independence in her daily activities and remission from all glucocorticoid related-comorbidities was maintained (fasting glucose: 91 mg/dL; glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c): 5.8%; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: 138 mg/dL; triglycerides: 80 mg/dL). Twelve months after surgery, the patient was able to discontinue hydrocortisone upon biochemical evidence of restoration of adrenal function (cortisol peak at Synacthen test: 21.1 ug/dL; basal ACTH: 15.6 pg/mL). Her last (23 months after surgery) endocrine surveys (midnight salivary cortisol: 0.14 ug/dL; ACTH: 18 pg/mL) and thoracic CT showed no evidence of disease relapse.

Parameter Presentation 12-month follow-up Reference
Hemoglobin (g/dL) 12.8 – 12-15.5
White blood count (×103/uL) 11.3 – 4.0-11.5
Platelets (×103/uL) 331 – 150-400
Fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) 427 76 74-106
HbA1c (%) 9.6 5.6 <6.5
Serum sodium (mmol/L) 146 – 135-145
Serum potassium (mmol/L) 2.7 – 3.5-5.1
Serum creatinine (mg/dL) 0.32 0.59 0.67-1.17
pH 7.17 – 7.35-7.45
HCO3– (mmol/L) 4.4 – 21-26
Anion gap 35 – 7
IGF-1 (ng/mL) 89.8 – 77-234
FSH (mUI/mL) 0.9 –¥ 3.5-12.5
LH (mUI/mL) <0.1 –¥ 2.4-12.6
Prolactin (ng/mL) 8.8 – 4.0-24.3
TSH (UI/mL) 0.02 0.61 0.35-4.94
Free T4 (ng/dL) 1.26 1.02 0.7-1.48
Midnight salivary cortisol (ug/dL) 25.5 2.4* <7.5
UFC (ug/dL) 1072.5 74.5* <176
Cortisol at 1 mg overnight DST (ug/dL) 25.7 – <1.8
Cortisol, baseline (ug/dL) 30.9 11.4* 5-18
Cortisol after HDDS test (ug/dL) 42.1 – Refer to reference 2
ACTH, baseline (pg/mL) 93.4 22.1* 7.2- 63.3
ACTH, maximum after CRH (pg/mL) 101.8 – Refer to reference 2
Table 1: Biochemical surveys of the patient at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up

* After metyrapone washout

¥ Gonadotropins not repeated due to resumption of regular menses

Abbreviations: ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; CRH, corticotropin-releasing hormone; DST, dexamethasone suppression test; FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; HDDS, high-dose dexamethasone suppression; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor type 1; LH, luteinizing hormone; TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone; UFC, urinary free cortisol

She was referred for inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) but it was postponed for several months due to healthcare strikes. While waiting for IPSS, she performed a thoracic computerized tomography (CT) scan to exclude EAS, which revealed thymic hyperplasia and a 25×15 mm, well-defined nodule in the lingula (Figure 2).

Thoracic-CT-scan-revealed-a-25x15-mm,-well-defined-nodule-in-the-lingula
Figure 2: Thoracic CT scan revealed a 25×15 mm, well-defined nodule in the lingula

A 68Ga-DOTANOC positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) was then performed and showed a single uptake in the same lung region (Figure 3).

68Ga-DOTANOC-PET/CT-showing-a-single-uptake-in-the-lingula.
Figure 3: 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT showing a single uptake in the lingula.

Abbreviations: PET/CT, positron emission tomography-computed tomography

The patient was referred to thoracic surgery and underwent lingulectomy plus excisional biopsy of the interlobar lymph nodes. Pathology revealed a typical carcinoid/neuroendocrine tumor (NET), grade one (Ki67<2% and <2 mitosis per high-power field (HPF)) without involved lymph nodes, which showed positivity for ACTH (Figure 4).

Immunohistochemistry-findings
Figure 4: Immunohistochemistry findings

a- hematoxylin and eosin x400 magnification, b- synaptophysin x100 magnification, c- chromogranin A x400 magnification, d- ACTH x400 magnification, e- Ki-67 x100 magnification.

The patient was started on hydrocortisone 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg at midday and afternoon, which was discontinued 11 months later due to restoration of adrenal function (cortisol peak at Synacthen test: 21.1 ug/dL; basal ACTH: 15.6 pg/mL). In the postoperative follow-up, Cushingoid features continued to disappear, and she regained muscle mass and independence in her daily activities. Her last CT showed no evidence of disease.

Discussion

Severe CS (SCS) is defined by random serum cortisol above 41 ng/dL and/or a urinary free cortisol (UFC) more than fourfold the upper limit of normal and/or severe hypokalemia (<3.0 mmol/L), along with the recent onset of one or more of the following: sepsis, opportunistic infection, refractory hypokalemia, uncontrolled hypertension, edema, heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, glucocorticoid-induced acute psychosis, progressive debilitating myopathy, thromboembolism, uncontrolled hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis [3]. SCS results in high morbidity and mortality, requiring a rapid recognition and targeted therapy of the uncontrolled hypercortisolism [3]. Patients with SCS usually have florid signs, and straightforward clinical suspicion is possible, except in cases of ECS due to small-cell lung carcinoma, where the rapid onset of hypercortisolism and related morbidity precedes the development of clinical stigmata [2,3]. The gasometric parameters in DKA associated with SCS can also provide clues for the presence of CS. The mineralocorticoid effect of excess cortisol leads to metabolic alkalosis through increased hydrogen excretion in the distal nephron, which is masked by metabolic acidosis due to excess β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate [6,12,13]. This mixed acid-basic disorder can be suspected by a ratio of ∆anion gap to ∆HCO3 of higher than one, which is not seen in pure metabolic acidosis. Additionally, after treating the DKA by decreasing ketones through the inhibition of its production by insulin and increased renal excretion with improved renal perfusion, metabolic alkalosis may supervene in gasometric monitoring, as seen in our report and others [6,9]. In rare cases, SCS can also lead to diabetic ketoalkalosis instead of DKA [1]. Several factors may contribute to the predominant alkalosis, namely, decreased hydrogen due to high renal excretion (excess mineralocorticoid effect), intracellular shift (due to severe hypokalemia), gastrointestinal losses (vomiting), and hyperventilation due to pulmonary diseases (as in heavy smokers) [13,14].

The main priorities in managing SCS are to control opportunistic infections, hypokalemia, DM, hypertension, and psychosis, and, importantly, investigations of the etiology of CS should be postponed until clinical stabilization [3]. The control of glucocorticoid-induced complications should encompass therapies to stabilize/reverse the CS induced morbidity (e.g., large-spectrum antibiotics for opportunistic infections; spironolactone for hypokalemia; insulin for DM) followed by targeted treatment of hypercortisolism [3]. Several oral adrenolytic agents are available and have proved their usefulness in SCS, namely, metyrapone (onset: hours; UFC normalization: 83%), ketoconazole/levoketoconazole (onset: days; UFC normalization: 70-81%), osilodrostat (onset: hours; UFC normalization: 82%), and mitotane (onset: days to weeks; UFC normalization: 72-82%). They can be used in monotherapy or in combination therapy, the latter strategy increasing the efficacy with lower doses of drugs and a lower risk of side effects [3,14]. Additionally, as first-line therapy for patients with an unavailable oral route (e.g., glucocorticoid-induced psychosis), or as second-line therapy when other adrenolytic agents have failed to control hypercortisolism, the anesthetic etomidate can be used under multidisciplinary supervision in an ICU, and it is highly effective (~100%) in controlling SCS within hours, in doses that do not induce anesthesia [3]. If medical therapy proves unsuccessful, bilateral adrenalectomy may be considered after careful clinical judgement, as it is highly effective in life-threatening SCS uncontrolled by medical therapy. Nevertheless, all attempts should be made to reduce hypercortisolemia with medical therapy before surgery [3].

DKA, as the inaugural presentation of CS, was previously published in eight case reports [4-11] (Table 2). Briefly, and including our case, almost all reports were severe (77.8%), mainly from EAS (55.6%) or pituitary adenomas (33.3%), and with a female preponderance (77.8%).

Reference Gender Age Florid CS signs Severe CS Etiology of CS Definitive treatment
Uecker JM, et al. [4] Female 43 Yes Yes EAS (duodenal NET) Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Kahara T, et al. [5] Male 53 No No ACTH-independent Adrenalectomy
Weng Y, et al. [6] Female 28 Yes Yes Cushing’s disease (macroadenoma) Transsphenoidal surgery
Catli G, et al. [7] Female 16 Yes Yes Cushing’s disease (microadenoma) Transsphenoidal surgery
Sakuma I, et al. [8] Female 56 Yes Yes EAS (pheochromocytoma) Adrenalectomy
Achary R, et al. [9] Female 48 Yes Yes Cushing’s disease (microadenoma) Transsphenoidal surgery
Cheong H, et al. [10]* Female 22 Unknown Unknown EAS (medullary thyroid carcinoma) None
Shangjian L, et al. [11] Male 46 Unknown Yes EAS (pheochromocytoma) Adrenalectomy
Our case Female 42 Yes Yes EAS (bronchial NET) Thoracic surgery
Table 2: Review of published cases of DKA as the inaugural presentation of CS

*Deceased

Abbreviations: ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; CS, Cushing’s syndrome; EAS, ectopic ACTH syndrome; NET, neuroendocrine tumor

The etiology of CS should be investigated in diagnostic steps. After confirming hypercortisolism (low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, UFC, and/or late-night salivary cortisol) and its ACTH dependence (usually well above 20 pg/mL in EAS), the source of excess ACTH should be pursued. The CRH test is the most accurate dynamic test to distinguish between pituitary and ectopic sources of ACTH, followed by the desmopressin and HDDS tests. The combination of CRH and HDDS tests has an accuracy close to the IPSS, the gold standard to distinguish pituitary from ectopic sources of ACTH. If the investigation approach points to EAS, the most accurate exam to detect a lesion is 68Ga-DOTA-somatostatin analogue PET/CT, followed by 18F-FDG PET and conventional cross-sectional imaging [1-3].

After being discharged from the ward, our patient showed spontaneous resolution of hypercortisolism requiring the withdrawal of metyrapone and all medications to control glucocorticoid-induced morbidity, suggesting cyclic CS. This very rare variant of CS is present when periods of hypercortisolism alternate with periods of normal cortisol secretion, each phase lasting from days to years, which makes this type of CS very challenging to manage. The pituitary is the main source of cyclic CS, followed by EAS and, infrequently, the adrenal gland. The criteria of three peaks and two periods of normal or low cortisol levels needed to diagnose cyclic CS were not seen in the follow-up period of our patient, as after one peak and trough, we found and removed the source of EAS [1].

Conclusions

In the context of DKA, florid Cushing signs and multiple vascular risk factors occurring in a young patient should raise suspicion for Cushing’s Syndrome. The severity of this syndrome varies widely from mild to severe and, if left untreated, can be fatal due to the increased risk of cardiovascular events and opportunistic infections. Diabetic ketoacidosis precipitated by an endogenous excess of glucocorticoid is usually associated with severe Cushing’s syndrome and more frequently with EAS, which can have an abrupt onset. Prompt recognition and targeted stabilization of severe Cushing’s syndrome are crucial and should precede a definitive etiologic investigation.

References

  1. Nieman LK, Biller BM, Findling JW, Newell-Price J, Savage MO, Stewart PM, Montori VM: The diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008, 93:1526-40. 10.1210/jc.2008-0125
  2. Hayes AR, Grossman AB: Distinguishing Cushing’s disease from the ectopic ACTH syndrome: needles in a haystack or hiding in plain sight?. J Neuroendocrinol. 2022, 34:e13137. 10.1111/jne.13137
  3. Alexandraki KI, Grossman AB: Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of severe Cushing’s syndrome. Drugs. 2016, 76:447-58. 10.1007/s40265-016-0539-6
  4. Uecker JM, Janzow MT: A case of Cushing syndrome secondary to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone producing carcinoid of the duodenum. Am Surg. 2005, 71:445-6.
  5. Kahara T, Seto C, Uchiyama A, et al.: Preclinical Cushing’s syndrome resulting from adrenal black adenoma diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. Endocr J. 2007, 54:543-51. 10.1507/endocrj.k06-071
  6. Weng YM, Chang MW, Weng CS: Pituitary apoplexy associated with cortisol-induced hyperglycemia and acute delirium. Am J Emerg Med. 2008, 26:1068.e1-3. 10.1016/j.ajem.2008.03.023
  7. Catli G, Abaci A, Tanrisever O, Kocyigit C, Sule Can P, Dundar BN: An unusual presentation of pediatric Cushing disease: diabetic ketoacidosis. AACE Clinical Case Reports. 2015, 1:53-8. 10.4158/EP14284.CR
  8. Sakuma I, Higuchi S, Fujimoto M, et al.: Cushing syndrome due to ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma, aggravated by glucocorticoid-driven positive-feedback loop. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016, 101:841-6. 10.1210/jc.2015-2855
  9. Acharya R, Kabadi UM: Case of diabetic ketoacidosis as an initial presentation of Cushing’s syndrome. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep. 2017, 2017:10.1530/EDM-16-0123
  10. Cheong H, Koo HL: Medullary thyroid carcinoma with diabetic ketoacidosis: an autopsy case report and literature review. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2021, 17:711-4. 10.1007/s12024-021-00407-8
  11. Li S, Guo X, Wang H, Suo N, Mi X, Jiang S: Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pheochromocytoma with severe metabolic disturbances: a case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2024, 116:109341. 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109341
  12. Kraut JA, Madias NE: Serum anion gap. Its uses and limitations in clinical medicine. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007, 2:162-74. 10.2215/CJN.03020906
  13. Uwaifo G, Varughese AG: ODP245 Syndrome of diabetic ketoalkalosis due to severe hypercortisolemia: a case series. J Endocr Soc. 2022, 6:A334. 10.1210/jendso/bvac150.693
  14. Nieman LK, Biller BM, Findling JW, Murad MH, Newell-Price J, Savage MO, Tabarin A: Treatment of Cushing’s syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015, 100:2807-31. 10.1210/jc.2015-1818

From https://www.cureus.com/articles/426071-diabetic-ketoacidosis-as-the-first-manifestation-of-ectopic-cushings-syndrome#!/

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Global Longitudinal Strain Reduction With Apical Sparing in Cushing Syndrome-Related Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF): A Case Report

Posted on December 5, 2025 by MaryO

Abstract

We describe a case of a 56-year-old woman with a history of recurrent pituitary adenoma, not well followed, and known comorbidities of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. She arrived with severely high blood pressure and signs pointing to hypercortisolism. Further evaluation revealed left ventricular hypertrophy, reduced global longitudinal strain, and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, consistent with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Workup for amyloidosis was negative. This case highlights that chronic hypercortisolism may cause pathophysiological changes in the heart, leading to HFpEF, and may induce myocardial fibrosis and impaired myocardial mechanics, producing an echocardiographic pattern that can mimic infiltrative cardiomyopathy. Recognition of this overlap is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and to ensure timely endocrine and cardiovascular management.

Introduction

Hypercortisolism is defined as a clinical condition resulting from excessive tissue exposure to cortisol or other glucocorticoids. Sustained exposure ultimately leads to Cushing syndrome (CS), a well-established constellation of clinical manifestations arising from chronic endogenous or exogenous cortisol excess [1]. CS is associated with profound metabolic derangements that significantly increase cardiovascular risk, not only during the active phase of the disease but also persisting long after biochemical remission [2,3]. Cardiovascular complications, including premature atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, and cerebrovascular events, are major contributors to the excess mortality observed in CS compared with the general population [1,3]. Among these complications, arterial hypertension remains the most frequent cardiovascular disorder in patients with Cushing disease (CD) [4].

Although left ventricular (LV) systolic function is generally preserved in patients with CS, several studies have demonstrated that chronic cortisol excess induces structural and functional cardiac alterations, predisposing to major adverse cardiac events and the development of heart failure [5] In the broader context of chronic congestive heart failure, disease progression is tightly coupled with activation of neuroendocrine stress pathways, most notably the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which governs cortisol secretion [6]. Cortisol, a pivotal stress hormone, increases in response to physiological strain, and its sustained elevation contributes to adverse myocardial remodeling.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a chronic and progressive syndrome, exemplifies the deleterious effects of persistent myocardial stress. While overt heart failure is an uncommon complication of CS, when it does occur, it most often presents with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) or with subclinical LV dysfunction [7]. Prior evidence has also linked CS to LV hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and subtle systolic impairment, with many of these changes demonstrating reversibility upon normalization of cortisol levels [8].

This case is unique as it highlights the interplay between CS and cardiac amyloidosis, emphasizing their overlapping yet distinct echocardiographic features. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), a measure of myocardial deformation, is particularly useful for differentiating these conditions and reveals subtle differences in strain patterns between the two.

Case Presentation

A 56-year-old woman with a significant past medical history of recurrent pituitary macroadenoma, treated with two prior surgical resections, the most recent five years earlier without subsequent follow-up, CAD, long-standing hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, presented to the emergency department with hypertensive urgency.

On arrival, she presented with a hypertensive crisis, with blood pressure measured at 200/110 mmHg, associated with severe cephalalgia, without syncope, visual changes, or focal neurological deficits. An MRI Brain demonstrated no evidence of acute intracranial hemorrhage or mass effect (Video 1). Initial laboratory testing showed normal complete blood count, renal function, and serum electrolytes. On physical examination, she exhibited characteristic Cushingoid stigmata, including rounded moon facies, central adiposity, and bilateral lower-extremity pitting edema.

She was commenced on intensive antihypertensive therapy, including spironolactone, clonidine, telmisartan, carvedilol, amlodipine, and intravenous furosemide (20 mg, subsequently escalated to 40 mg). Given her clinical appearance and history of pituitary disease, an endocrine evaluation was undertaken. An overnight dexamethasone suppression test revealed an unsuppressed morning cortisol of 360 nmol/L, consistent with hypercortisolism.

Cardiac assessment supported a diagnosis of HFpEF. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (60%), impaired GLS (-10%), and mild concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (Figure 1; Video 2).

Transthoracic-echocardiography-demonstrating-reduced-global-longitudinal-strain-(-10%)-consistent-with-preserved-EF-(60%)
Figure 1: Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrating reduced global longitudinal strain (-10%) consistent with preserved EF (60%)

EF: Ejection Fraction

Workup for alternative causes of HFpEF, including renal impairment and infiltrative cardiomyopathy, was unremarkable; both serum and urine protein electrophoresis with immunofixation excluded amyloidosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary revealed recurrence of the macroadenoma. The patient was referred to neurosurgery for consideration of repeat resection, and glucocorticoid-sparing medical therapy was initiated. During hospitalization, her blood pressure was gradually stabilized, diuretic therapy improved signs of congestion, and her functional status returned to near baseline with restored mobility (Video 3).

Discussion

Epidemiology and clinical significance

CD is a severe endocrine disorder characterized by chronic exposure to excess glucocorticoids. Patients with CD have a two- to fivefold higher mortality compared with the general population, predominantly due to cardiovascular complications [4]. Chronic hypercortisolism is associated with systemic hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), diastolic dysfunction, and accelerated atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of myocardial ischemia and heart failure. While these cardiovascular manifestations are common, the development of isolated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in the absence of other major comorbidities is rare but clinically noteworthy [9].

Pathophysiology of cardiac involvement

Chronic glucocorticoid excess contributes to cardiovascular remodeling via multiple mechanisms. Persistent hypertension and metabolic disturbances promote LVH and diastolic dysfunction. Additionally, glucocorticoid excess induces endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, and myocardial fibrosis, impairing ventricular compliance and predisposing to HFpEF [1,6]. Advanced echocardiographic techniques, such as GLS, can detect subclinical systolic dysfunction before overt reductions in LVEF [6]. In our patient, preserved LVEF (60%) coupled with markedly reduced GLS (-10%) and concentric LVH was consistent with HFpEF secondary to chronic cortisol excess, further supported by clinical signs of volume overload such as edema and severe hypertension [7].

Apical sparing and mimicking amyloidosis

An important observation in this case was relative apical sparing despite markedly reduced GLS, a strain pattern classically associated with cardiac amyloidosis [10]. Although infiltrative disease was excluded (negative serum and urine protein electrophoresis with immunofixation), this overlap illustrates how hypercortisolism-induced remodeling can phenocopy amyloidosis on imaging. Recent work has shown that hypercortisolism, beyond metabolic derangements, impairs myocardial mechanics and contractile efficiency [11]. Thus, patients with atypical strain findings should undergo careful endocrine evaluation to avoid misdiagnosis. Ultimately, the recognition that hypercortisolism may produce amyloid-like echocardiographic signatures has both diagnostic and management implications. It broadens the differential diagnosis of HFpEF and stresses the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving endocrinology and cardiology to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure tailored therapy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy in CS

Although uncommon, DCM with severe LV systolic dysfunction has been described in CS. Frustaci et al. reported eight cases of hypercortisolism due to adrenal adenoma among 473 patients with DCM (1.7%), all presenting with LVEF <30% and symptomatic heart failure. Endomyocardial biopsy revealed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and myofibrillolysis, distinct from idiopathic DCM and valvular disease controls. Follow-up biopsies in three patients one year post-adrenalectomy demonstrated substantial regression of these changes, highlighting the reversibility of glucocorticoid-induced myocardial injury [12].

Although not assessed in our patient, prior studies have implicated atrogin-1 in CS-related myocardial remodeling. At the molecular level, upregulation of atrogin-1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase expressed in skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle, was observed in CS-associated DCM compared with idiopathic DCM and controls [13]. Atrogin-1, implicated in skeletal muscle atrophy and sarcopenia, facilitates proteasomal degradation of intracellular proteins. Its overexpression in cardiomyocytes contributes to glucocorticoid-mediated myocardial remodeling. Importantly, atrogin-1 expression declined significantly following surgical correction of cortisol excess, paralleling improvements in cardiac structure and function. This reversibility mirrors recovery seen in glucocorticoid-induced skeletal myopathy and underscores the unique potential for cardiac recovery in CS-related DCM [9].

Clinical implications and differential diagnosis

This case underscores the multisystem burden of endogenous hypercortisolism, with particular cardiovascular susceptibility [1,6]. Chronic cortisol excess should be considered in the differential diagnosis of HFpEF, particularly when conventional risk factors coexist with systemic features such as central obesity, moon facies, and proximal myopathy [8]. Secondary causes of HFpEF, including cardiac amyloidosis, were excluded, supporting hypercortisolism as the primary etiology. Recognizing CS as a reversible contributor to myocardial dysfunction has important clinical implications, as timely endocrine intervention can improve cardiac function, lower blood pressure, and potentially prevent progression to irreversible myocardial remodeling.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and structural remodeling

Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic studies have characterized the cardiac phenotype in patients with CS. In a cohort of 12 consecutive patients, most had concomitant hypertension (11/12) and diabetes mellitus (7/12). Preoperative ECGs commonly demonstrated high-voltage QRS complexes (10 patients) and T-wave inversions (7 patients), indicative of LV strain. Echocardiography revealed LVH in nine patients, all exhibiting asymmetric septal hypertrophy. Interventricular septal thickness ranged from 16 to 32 mm, with septal-to-posterior wall ratios from 1.33 to 2.67. Compared with essential hypertension or primary aldosteronism, CS patients exhibited more pronounced LVH and a higher prevalence of asymmetric septal hypertrophy, suggesting a unique glucocorticoid-mediated remodeling pattern [13].

Postoperative follow-up in nine patients demonstrated normalization of ECG abnormalities, decreased septal thickness, and resolution of asymmetric septal hypertrophy in all but one patient, highlighting the partial reversibility of LVH following correction of hypercortisolism. The pronounced septal thickening relative to the posterior wall implies that excessive cortisol exposure, beyond hemodynamic effects of hypertension, contributes significantly to myocardial remodeling [13].

Impact of disease duration on concentric remodeling

Fallo et al. evaluated 18 patients with CS compared with 18 matched controls, adjusting for sex, age, body size, blood pressure, and duration of hypertension. Eleven participants in each group were hypertensive. Echocardiography revealed elevated relative wall thickness (RWT >0.45) in 11 patients with CS (five normotensive, six hypertensive) versus two hypertensive controls. Left ventricular mass index was abnormal in three CS patients and in four hypertensive controls, while systolic function was preserved in all participants [14].

No correlation was observed between RWT and either blood pressure or urinary cortisol levels in patients with CS. Instead, RWT correlated significantly with disease duration, indicating that prolonged exposure to glucocorticoid excess, rather than hormone levels or hemodynamic load, is the primary determinant of concentric LV remodeling. Postoperative echocardiography showed normalization of RWT in five of six patients previously affected, reinforcing the concept of reversible myocardial structural changes following correction of hypercortisolism [14].

Conclusions

CS represents a rare but clinically important etiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and, less commonly, dilated cardiomyopathy. Chronic hypercortisolism promotes systemic hypertension, LVH, diastolic dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and remodeling that may mimic infiltrative cardiomyopathies such as amyloidosis on echocardiography. GLS with apical sparing, although typically associated with amyloidosis, may also occur in cortisol-induced cardiomyopathy. Advanced imaging, including GLS, can detect subclinical myocardial impairment before overt systolic dysfunction develops. Notably, cardiac structural and functional abnormalities may partially or completely reverse following normalization of cortisol levels, highlighting the importance of early recognition and timely endocrine intervention. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for hypercortisolism in patients presenting with unexplained LVH, HFpEF, or atypical DCM, particularly when systemic features of CS are present. Future studies are needed to better characterize strain patterns in endocrine cardiomyopathies and to refine imaging-based algorithms for early detection.

References

  1. Uwaifo GI, Hura DE: Hypercortisolism. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island (FL); 2024.
  2. De Leo M, Pivonello R, Auriemma RS, et al.: Cardiovascular disease in Cushing’s syndrome: heart versus vasculature. Neuroendocrinology. 2010, 92 Suppl 1:50-4. 10.1159/000318566
  3. Graversen D, Vestergaard P, Stochholm K, Gravholt CH, Jørgensen JO: Mortality in Cushing’s syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Intern Med. 2012, 23:278-82. 10.1016/j.ejim.2011.10.013
  4. Uzie Bło-Życzkowska B, Krzesinński P, Witek P, Zielinński G, Jurek A, Gielerak G, Skrobowski A: Cushing’s disease: subclinical left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction revealed by speckle tracking echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2017, 8:222. 10.3389/fendo.2017.00222
  5. Brosolo G, Catena C, Da Porto A, Bulfone L, Vacca A, Verheyen ND, Sechi LA: Differences in regulation of cortisol secretion contribute to left ventricular abnormalities in patients with essential hypertension. Hypertension. 2022, 79:1435-44. 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19472
  6. Gladden JD, Linke WA, Redfield MM: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Pflugers Arch. 2014, 466:1037-53. 10.1007/s00424-014-1480-8
  7. Owan TE, Redfield MM: Epidemiology of diastolic heart failure. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2005, 47:320-32. 10.1016/j.pcad.2005.02.010
  8. Pereira AM, Delgado V, Romijn JA, Smit JW, Bax JJ, Feelders RA: Cardiac dysfunction is reversed upon successful treatment of Cushing’s syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol. 2010, 162:331-40. 10.1530/EJE-09-0621
  9. Gill A, Dean N, Al-Agha R: Cushing’s, dilated cardiomyopathy and stroke: case report and literature review. Can J Gen Intern Med. 2016, 11:46-9.
  10. Klein AL, Oh J, Miller FA, Seward JB, Tajik AJ: Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic assessment of infiltrative cardiomyopathy. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1988, 1:48-59. 10.1016/s0894-7317(88)80063-4
  11. Sahiti F, Detomas M, Cejka V, et al.: The impact of hypercortisolism beyond metabolic syndrome on left ventricular performance: a myocardial work analysis. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2025, 24:132. 10.1186/s12933-025-02680-1
  12. Frustaci A, Letizia C, Verardo R, Grande C, Calvieri C, Russo MA, Chimenti C: Atrogin-1 pathway activation in Cushing syndrome cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016, 67:116-7. 10.1016/j.jacc.2015.10.040
  13. Sugihara N, Shimizu M, Kita Y, et al.: Cardiac characteristics and postoperative courses in Cushing’s syndrome. Am J Cardiol. 1992, 1:1475-80.
  14. Fallo F, Budano S, Sonino N, Muiesan ML, Agabiti-Rosei E, Boscaro M: Left ventricular structural characteristics in Cushing’s syndrome. J Hum Hypertens. 1994, 8:509-13.

From https://www.cureus.com/articles/413845-global-longitudinal-strain-reduction-with-apical-sparing-in-cushing-syndrome-related-heart-failure-with-preserved-ejection-fraction-hfpef-a-case-report?score_article=true#!/

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Prospective Assessment of Mood and Quality of Life in Cushing Syndrome Before and After Biochemical Control

Posted on November 27, 2025 by MaryO

Abstract

Context

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) impairs quality of life (QoL) and mood. Prospective real-life data on posttreatment recovery and predictors of improvement are limited.

Objectives

Evaluate changes in QoL, depression, and anxiety in patients with CS, before and after biochemical control, and identify predictors of clinically meaningful improvement.

Design and Setting

Prospective observational study at a tertiary center.

Patients

Sixty-seven patients with endogenous CS (60 pituitary, 7 adrenal) were assessed with active disease and again after achieving biochemical control through surgery and/or medication.

Outcomes

Patient-reported outcomes included CushingQoL, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Results

Mean and longest follow-up was 2.3 and 11.5 years, respectively. Treatment led to improvements in mean scores across all domains (QoL: +18.2 ± 20.9, BDI-II: −6.8 ± 8.6, STAI-State: −9.6 ± 12.5, STAI-Trait: −8.6 ± 12.6; all P < .001). However, a minimal important difference was achieved in 64.6% for QoL, 67.9% for BDI-II, and 53.2% and 52.8% for STAI subscales. After multivariable analysis, QoL improvements were predicted by lower baseline body mass index, pretreatment symptoms ❤ years, postoperative hydrocortisone replacement >6 months, and normal follow-up late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC). Depression improvements were predicted by symptoms ❤ years, normal follow-up LNSC, and surgical treatment. Anxiety improvements were predicted by younger age and >6 months postoperative hydrocortisone. Depression improved more gradually than QoL and anxiety.

Conclusion

Although effective treatment improves mood and QoL in CS, clinically meaningful recovery is variable and incomplete for some patients. Our findings highlight the need to limit diagnostic delay and provide comprehensive posttreatment care that includes normalization of cortisol circadian rhythm.

Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a rare disorder characterized by chronic cortisol excess, most commonly due to an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor [Cushing disease (CD)], followed by a cortisol-secreting adrenal adenoma and ectopic ACTH production due to a nonpituitary tumor (1). CS is associated with multiple comorbidities including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, immune suppression, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease, among others (2). Apart from these, patients face a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disturbances including depression, anxiety, mania, sleep disorders, and even psychosis. These comorbidities significantly disturb quality of life (QoL) and may persist long after treatment (3-7).

As with many rare diseases, CS remains incompletely understood, and patients experience impaired disease perception, information gaps, and isolation. In this context, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have become useful instruments to clarify these gaps and guide patient-centered care. Disease-specific tools (CushingQoL, Tuebingen CD-25) and generic mood scales (Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI; including State (STAI-S) and Trait (STAI-T), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale] have established impairments in QoL and mood both during active disease and in remission (4, 8-11).

Although improvements are noted with treatment, recovery does not seem to be complete. Studies have reported persistently reduced QoL compared to the general population and the presence of depressive symptoms even 12 months postoperatively (4, 9). Findings regarding anxiety are less consistent: while some studies did not support the increased prevalence of anxiety in patients with active CS compared to the general population (12), others reported higher anxiety traits among patients with CS (during active disease and in remission) (13, 14) with steady improvement at 6- and 12-month follow-up (15). Clinical trials with adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors or pasireotide demonstrated that effective biochemical control can improve QoL and depression (16-18). However, it is unclear whether these improvements are clinically significant and if patients achieve normal QoL and depression scores.

The role of PROs in assessing recovery during the treatment journey of patients with CS has not been clearly established, and QoL and mood trajectories remain unclear, largely due to small samples, limited follow-up, and cross-sectional designs. Among available prospective studies using PROs in CS, only 3 (2 evaluating pasireotide and 1 osilodrostat) reported the proportion of patients who met the minimal important difference (MID), which is the score change reflecting a clinically meaningful improvement (17-19), while others have only reported statistically significant changes in mean score, an important but possibly less clinically relevant outcome (20-22). Real-world clinical management adds further complexity: postoperative glucocorticoid replacement, potential glucocorticoid-withdrawal symptoms, and 20% to 30% recurrence rates after initial surgical “cure” all suggest that, for many patients, recovery may follow a nonlinear course. To date, no clinical practice prospective study has systematically assessed QoL and mood across multiple timepoints, compared surgical and medical strategies within a single cohort, and limited inclusion to patients who achieved biochemical remission or control for at least 6 months. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate changes in QoL, depression, and anxiety in a clinical practice cohort of patients with CS before and over time after biochemical control, report achievement rates of MID, and identify predictors of clinically meaningful improvement.

Methods

Study Design

This study includes prospective data from patients enrolled in an ongoing observational cohort study, which since 2017 enrolls patients with endogenous CS at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) [prior to 2017, enrollment took place at Mount Sinai (2012-2017)]. In this protocol, CS patients being treated at the MSKCC Pituitary and Skull Base Tumor Center are enrolled at any point in their treatment journey and prospectively followed over time after surgical, medical, and/or radiation treatment. At each study visit, a detailed medical history and biochemical and clinical data are collected according to standard of care. Patients also complete validated psychological and QoL assessments.

The current analysis includes a cohort of 67 patients with CS: 60 with pituitary and 7 with adrenal CS. Each patient completed a baseline (active disease) visit and at least 1 follow-up visit after achieving surgical remission or endocrine control due to medical therapy.

From the total of 67 patients, we analyzed 73 distinct baseline-to-follow-up case pairs. Six patients experienced recurrence after surgery or were inadequately controlled while on medical therapy after their initial follow-up visit and underwent a subsequent change in treatment strategy. These instances were treated as separate case pairs when needed, enabling comparison of different treatment approaches. When analyzing for a single follow-up, visits were grouped by time: group 1 (G1): 6 months, group 2 (G2): 12-18 months, and group 3 (G3): 24 or more months posttreatment. Each patient contributed to 1 or multiple groups based on the number of their study visits. For patients with multiple visits receiving different treatments throughout the current study, each follow-up visit was categorized based on time since the most recent intervention to ensure that we assessed outcomes according to the duration of biochemical control. For patients who underwent surgery, the follow-up interval was calculated from the date of surgery; for those on medical therapy, it was calculated from the start of medication. In the subanalysis comparing treatment- or demographic-related score changes, the most recent available follow-up was used in each case. At each visit patients completed at least 1 of the following: Cushing QoL, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), or STAI-S and STAI-T.

For multiple follow-up visits during remission or treatment, 28 patients were evaluated. For this subgroup, we examined their whole trajectory over time. We then stratified this subgroup by total follow-up duration (<2 years vs ≥2 years) and assessed for significant differences between these 2 categories where applicable.

For the baseline visit, ACTH-dependent pituitary and ACTH-independent adrenal Cushing’s was confirmed according to Endocrine Society guidelines (23). Surgical remission was defined as postoperative serum cortisol <5 μg/dL (<138 nmol/L) and requirement of glucocorticoid replacement, according to the Endocrine Society’s guidelines and the Pituitary Society’s recent consensus statement (24, 25). For patients managed medically, endocrine control was defined as normalization of 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) and based on clinical review and assessment by E.B.G.

The study was approved by the institutional review board at MSKCC. All subjects gave written informed consent before participation.

Outcome Measurements

Cushing QoL

The Cushing QoL is a validated disease-specific questionnaire consisting of 12 questions on a 5-point scale ranging from “always” to “never” (for 10 questions) or “very much” to “not at all” (for 2 questions). Total score ranges from 12 to 60. This is converted to a 0 to 100 scale, with 0 indicating the worst and 100 the best QoL. It evaluates physical and psychological issues and can also be scored through these 2 distinct subscales. MID is defined as an increase of ≥10.1 (26).

BDI-II

The BDI-II is a validated 21-item patient-reported questionnaire. Patients self-rate each item on a scale from 0 to 3 based on how they were feeling during the past 2 weeks. Total score ranges from 0 (best) to 63 (worst); scores from 0 to 13 indicate no or minimal depression; 14 to 19, mild depression; 20 to 28, moderate depression; and 29 to 63, severe depression. MID is defined as a 20% reduction from baseline score (27, 28).

STAI

The STAI is an instrument with 2 subscales: State anxiety (STAI-S), which reflects the present moment, and Trait anxiety (STAI-T), which assesses a stable tendency toward anxiety. Both subscales consist of 20 items scored from 0 to 3. Total scores range from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety. Prior studies suggest a change of 0.5× SDs—or approximately 5 to 10 points—as a reasonable threshold for MID. In our study, we defined the MID at 7 points, based on observed SD of change at 12.5 for STAI-S and 12.6 for STAI-T (29).

In this study, all score changes from baseline to follow-up were reported as positive values to uniformly represent improvement across measures. For BDI-II and STAI where higher scores indicate worse outcomes, the direction of change was inverted for consistency.

Hormone Assays

Hormone testing was performed at either the MSKCC clinical laboratory or external laboratories (Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories). Plasma ACTH was measured using Tosoh immunoassay [RRID:AB_2783633; normal range (NR): 7.4-64.3 pg/mL (1.6-14.2 pmol/L); MSKCC or 6 to 50 pg/mL (1.3-11.0 pmol/L); QuestDiagnostics] or electrochemiluminescence immunoassay [RRID:AB_3678556; NR: 7.2-63.3 pg/mL (1.6-13.9 pmol/L); LabCorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories]. Serum cortisol was measured via either immunoassay [RRID:AB_2802133; NR: 4-22 µg/dL (110-607 nmol/L); QuestDiagnostics or 7-25 µg/dL (193-690 nmol/L); Mayo Clinic Laboratories], electrochemiluminescence immunoassay [RRID:AB_2802131; NR: 6.2-19.4 µg/dL; (171-535 nmol/L); LabCorp], or liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry [LC-MS/MS; NR: 5-25 µg/dL (138-690 nmol/L)]. UFC was measured using LC-MS/MS [NR: 3.5-45 µg/24 hours (9.7-124 nmol/24 hours); MSKCC, Mayo Clinic Laboratories or 3.0 to 50 µg/24 hours (8.3-138 nmol/24 hours); Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp]. Late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) was assessed via LC-MS/MS [NR: ≤ 0.09 µg/dL (2.5 nmol/L); QuestDiagnostics, LabCorp or <100 ng/dL (27.6 nmol/L); MSKCC, Mayo Clinic Laboratories]. LNSC values were analyzed categorically (normal vs abnormal), and patients were asked to provide 2 LNSC samples on separate evenings. Abnormal LNSC was defined as at least 1 value above the upper limit of normal for the assigned laboratory.

Comorbidities

Diabetes mellitus (DM) was defined by any of the following: hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) > 6.4%, fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L), or use of at least 1 antidiabetic medication. Pre-DM was defined as HbA1c between 5.7% and 6.4% or FBG between 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6-6.9 mmol/L). Women taking metformin for polycystic ovary syndrome were classified as nondiabetic only if their HbA1c and FBG values both before metformin initiation and at the time of CS diagnosis remained within the normal range. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg, or use of any antihypertensive medication.

Statistical Analysis

Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS for Windows (version 29.0, IBM Corp.). Data normality was assessed by the Shapiro–Wilk test. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and clinical characteristics. Normally distributed data were compared by Student’s t-test and nonnormally distributed variables with the Mann–Whitney U-test. Paired T-tests were conducted to study mean changes from baseline to a single follow-up visit. For categorical characteristics and the MID, we calculated the achievement rates and used Pearson’s chi-square for comparisons where applicable. For patients with more than 2 follow-up visits ANOVA (repeated measures) was applied for the trajectory of each measurement over time. To identify predictors of improvement, univariable linear regression models for score change and logistic regression for MID achievement were performed using baseline visit and longest follow-up visit for each patient. Variables with P ≤ .10 or of clinical relevance were then entered into multivariable regression models—again, linear regression for score change and logistic regression for MID achievement—where each predictor was separately evaluated, adjusting for age, sex, and baseline score. Correlation analyses were performed using Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients for data with normal or abnormal distribution, respectively. Correlation coefficients (r) were interpreted as follows: values between 0.0 and ±0.3: weak, between ±0.3 and ±0.7: moderate, and between ±0.7 and ±1.0: strong relationships. All statistical tests were 2-sided, and results were considered significant with P ≤ .05.

Results

Study Participants

From a cohort of 226 endogenous CS and silent ACTH tumor patients enrolled in our ongoing MSKCC prospective cohort study, we identified patients who had a baseline visit with active hypercortisolism, who had at least 1 follow-up visit while in surgical remission or medical control, and who had completed at least 1 of the evaluated questionnaires correctly. After excluding patients with silent ACTH tumors, those with missing data, and follow-up visits that did not meet remission criteria, we included 67 patients (56 females, 11 males) with a mean baseline age of 42.3 ± 13.1 years. Among these patients, 60 had CD and 7 had adrenal CS.

Further patient demographic information is shown in Tables 1 and 2.

 
Table 1.

Demographics and baseline characteristics

Demographic variable n = 67 patients
Age, years
 Mean (SD) 42.3 (13.1)
 Range 20-75
Sex, n (%)
 Female 56 (83.6)
CS subtype, n (%)
 CD 60 (89.6)
 Adrenal CS 7(10.4)
Race, n (%)
 White 50 (74.6)
 Black/African American 8 (11.9)
 Asian 2 (3.0)
 Other/unknown 7 (10.4)
24-hour UFC
 Mean (SD) 391.5 (1471) µg/24 hours,
1080 (4060) nmol/24 hours
 Median (IQR) 135.0 (82.7-220.0) µg/24 hours, 372 (228-607) nmol/24 hours
 Range (min-max) 29-12 346 µg/24 hours, 80-34 053 nmol/24 hours
LNSC, n (%)
 Normal 3 (4.5)
 Abnormal 59 (88.1)
 NA 5 (7.5)
Plasma ACTH
 Mean (SD) 70.7 (64.1) pg/mL, 15.6 (14.1) pmol/L
 Median (IQR) 56.0 (42.0-83.8) pg/mL, 12.3 (9.2-18.4) pmol/L
 Range (min-max) 11-416 pg/mL (2.4-91.5 pmol/L)
Prior recurrence at baseline, n (%) 16 (23.9)
Prior transsphenoidal surgery, n (%) 16 (23.9)
 1 9 (13.4)
 2 7(10.4)

Abbreviations: CD, Cushing disease; CS, Cushing’s syndrome; IQR, interquartile range; LNSC, late-night salivary cortisol; NA, not available; UFC, urinary free cortisol.

 
Table 2.

Baseline and follow-up data

Baseline Longest follow-up P-value
BMI (kg/m2)
 Mean (SD) 33.2 (7.6) 30.6 (8.5) <.001
 Median (IQR) 31.6 (26.8-37.3) 29.3 (25.3-34.8)
LNSC, n (%) <.001
 Normal 3 (4.5) 30 (44.7)
 Abnormal 59 (88.1) 16 (23.8)
 NA 5 (7.5) 21 (31.3)
DM, n (%) <.001
 DM 28 (41.8) 13 (19.4)
 Pre-DM 15 (22.4) 9 (13.4)
Hypertension, n (%) 55 (82.1) 35 (53.7) <.001
HbA1C (%) <.001
 Total mean (SD) 6.5 (1.8) 5.7 (0.9)
 DM/pre-DM mean (SD) 6.9 (1.8) 6.1 (1.0)
Antidiabetic medications, n (%) 20 (29.9) (22.4)
 1 12 (17.9) (13.4)
 2 1 (1.5) (3.0)
 3 3 (4.5) (1.5)
 Insulin 4 (6.0) 3 (4.5)
Antihypertensive medications, n (%) 34 (50.7) (37.3)
 1 15 (22.4) (19.4)
 2 10 (14.9) (11.9)
 ≥3 9 (13.4) 4 (6.0)
Other medications, n (%)
 Antidepressants 10 (14.9) 13 (19.4)
 Anxiolytics 12 (17.9) 12(17.9)
 Pain medications 16 (23.9) 23 (34.3)
 Sleep medications 16 (23.9) 21 (31.3)
Treatment at most recent follow-up,a n (%)
 Transsphenoidal surgery 44 (65.7)
 Medical therapy 18 (26.9)
 Bilateral adrenalectomy 3 (4.5)
 Radiation therapy 1 (1.5)
 Adrenalectomy (adrenal CS) 7 (10.4)

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; CS, Cushing’s syndrome; DM, diabetes mellitus; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; IQR, interquartile range; LNSC, late-night salivary cortisol.

a“n” refers to number of separate baseline-to-follow-up cases.

In total, there were 46 visits in G1, 31 in G2, and 24 in G3. At the most recent follow-up of each case, there were 24 visits in G1, 25 in G2, and 24 in G3.

The mean (range) duration from baseline to most recent follow-up was 28.3 (5-138) months in the overall cohort. The mean (range) follow-up duration since the most recent treatment was 6.3 (4-9) months for G1, 12.7 (10-18) months for G2, and 43.7 (23-120) months for G3. At their final follow-up visit, 44 patients (65.7%) achieved remission after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), 18 (26.9%) were under medical control, 3 (4.5%) underwent bilateral adrenalectomy (BLA), 1 (1.5%) received radiation therapy (RT), and the 7 (10.4%) patients with adrenal CS underwent unilateral adrenalectomy (Table 2).

The following additional treatments were administered between this study’s baseline visit and longest follow-up: among the 44 patients treated with TSS at their latest follow-up, 1 underwent an additional TSS and 1 received medical therapy prior to TSS. Of the 18 medically managed patients at last follow-up, 8 (44.4%) had previously undergone TSS (3 of whom had 2 TSSs), and 2 of these 8 additionally received at least 1 different medication before switching to the 1 recorded at their last follow-up. Two (11.1%) other patients received 2 sequential medications before the final 1 at follow-up, and 1 (5.6%) patient was on a block-and-replace regimen with hydrocortisone (HC) after 2 TSSs and BLA. The complete treatment journey of patients on medical therapy, before and after entering the study, is shown in Fig. 1. Among the patients who underwent BLA at last follow-up, 1 had 2 prior TSSs, 1 had a sin1 gle prior TSS and received medical therapy and had 2 TSSs and received medical therapy. The patient treated with RT had 2 prior TSSs and received medical therapy.

 

Treatment journey of the 18 patients on medical therapy at their longest follow-up. Each row represents the longitudinal treatment course of each patient before and/or after entering the study. Multiple boxes indicating medical therapy within the same patient represent different medications administered over time. Segments outlined in bold represent the follow-up period analyzed in the current cohort, from this' study baseline to the longest available follow-up.

Figure 1.

Treatment journey of the 18 patients on medical therapy at their longest follow-up. Each row represents the longitudinal treatment course of each patient before and/or after entering the study. Multiple boxes indicating medical therapy within the same patient represent different medications administered over time. Segments outlined in bold represent the follow-up period analyzed in the current cohort, from this’ study baseline to the longest available follow-up.

Abbreviations: CT, clinical trial; Keto, ketoconazole; Levo, levoketoconazole; Mety, metyrapone; Mife, mifepristone; Osilo, osilodrostat; Pasi, pasireotide.

Sixteen patients presented with recurrent disease; an additional 9 patients (13.4%) developed recurrent or persistent disease after surgery. HC replacement was administered at 21 of the longest available follow-up visits [6 due to ongoing hypopituitarism or adrenal insufficiency (AI) and 15 for temporary postoperative AI], with another 9 cases receiving replacement at intermediate follow-up visits.

All 18 patients on medical therapy at their longest follow-up received adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors: osilodrostat (8 patients, 44.4%), metyrapone (6 patients, 33.3%), and ketoconazole (4 patients, 22.2%).

Comorbid Conditions

As shown in Table 2, mean body mass index (BMI) at baseline was 33.2 ± 7.6 kg/m2. Twenty-eight (41.8%) patients presented with DM, 15 (22.4%) with prediabetes, and 24 (35.8%) without DM. Fifty-five of 67 patients (82.1%) had hypertension at baseline. At the longest follow-up, mean BMI decreased to 30.6 ± 8.5 kg/m² (P < .001), and mean HbA1c decreased to 5.7 ± 0.9% (P < .001). Thirteen patients (19.4%) continued to have DM, and 9 patients (13.4%) had prediabetes. Hypertension was present in 35 patients (53.7%), of whom 25 (71.4%) were receiving at least 1 antihypertensive medication.

LNSC levels remained abnormal in 16 patients (23.8%), although LNSC data were not available for 21 patients (31.3%). Of those, LNSC testing was not considered clinically indicated in some cases, such as patients on HC replacement for postoperative AI (n = 10) or patients with adrenal CS status postadrenalectomy (n = 3). The remaining 8 patients with missing LNSC data were on medical therapy (n = 4) or status post-TSS (n = 4).

Cushing QoL

Sixty-five patients (71 baseline to follow-up case pairs) completed the CushingQoL assessment. In the overall cohort, treatment resulted in significant improvements in mean QoL scores at all follow-up time points: mean change in G1 was 16.6 ± 18.6 (P < .001); G2, 19.1 ± 19.4 (P < .001); and G3, 16.6 ± 27.1 (P = .009) (Table 3, Fig. 2A). For longest available follow-up for each case, overall mean improvement was 18.2 ± 20.9 points (P < .001).

 

Score trajectory for (A) Cushing QoL, (B) BDI-II, (C) STAI-State, and (D) STAI-Trait in the overall cohort based on duration of follow-up, including patients with 2 follow-up visits. Significant improvements in mean scores were observed in all assessments and all follow-up time points except in group 3 STAI-State, noted with a gray line. Group 1: 6 months posttreatment, group 2: 12 to 18 months posttreatment, group 3: ≥ 24 months posttreatment.

Figure 2.

Score trajectory for (A) Cushing QoL, (B) BDI-II, (C) STAI-State, and (D) STAI-Trait in the overall cohort based on duration of follow-up, including patients with 2 follow-up visits. Significant improvements in mean scores were observed in all assessments and all follow-up time points except in group 3 STAI-State, noted with a gray line. Group 1: 6 months posttreatment, group 2: 12 to 18 months posttreatment, group 3: ≥ 24 months posttreatment.

Abbreviations: BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II; QoL, quality of life; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

 
Table 3.

Cushing QoL scores at baseline, follow-up visit, and mean score change in each time-based group for total cohort, patients who had TSS and patients on medical therapy

Category Subgroup n Baseline mean Follow-up visit mean Mean change SD (change) P-value
Total cohort Longest follow-up 71 42.4 60.6 18.2 20.9 <.001
Group 1 45 40.6 57.2 16.6 18.6 <.001
Group 2 30 43.5 62.6 19.1 19.4 <.001
Group 3 23 41.2 57.9 16.6 27.1 .009
TSS Longest follow-up 42 40.0 59.9 20.0 18.5 <.001
Group 1 29 40.2 57.0 16.8 19.1 <.001
Group 2 21 41.4 61.9 20.4 15.8 <.001
Group 3 9 29.0 48.7 19.7 24.9 .045
Medical therapy Longest follow-up 19 46.3 58.4 12.1 26.2 .059
Group 1 9 44.6 56.7 12.1 18.5 .086
Group 2 7 40.9 57.1 16.3 31.4 .219
Group 3 10 56.0 62.0 6.0 27.9 .513

Abbreviations: QoL, quality of life; TSS, transsphenoidal surgery.

In the subanalysis by treatment strategy, 42 patients who completed the Cushing QoL achieved surgical remission and 19 patients were controlled on medical therapy. In the surgical cohort, improvement in scores were noted across all time groups with a mean score increase of 20.0 ± 18.5 points from baseline to the longest available follow-up (P < .001) (Figs. 3A and 4A). Among these patients, 15 had 2 follow-up visits; between them the mean score further increased by 9.6 ± 14.8 points, indicating significant QoL improvement >6 months postsurgery (P  = .025). In contrast, patients under medical control at follow-up showed a mean improvement of 12.1 ± 26.2 points from baseline to the longest follow-up, which did not reach statistical significance (n = 19; P  = .059) (Table 3, Figs. 3A and 4A).

 

Mean score change in total cohort, patients after transsphenoidal surgery, and patients on medical therapy based on duration of follow-up: (A) Cushing QoL, (B) BDI-II, (C) STAI-State, (D) STAI-Trait. Direct comparison between the 2 treatment modalities was performed only in the longest available follow-up visit for each patient. Caps represent SEM. Only P-values ≤ .05 are displayed.

Figure 3.

Mean score change in total cohort, patients after transsphenoidal surgery, and patients on medical therapy based on duration of follow-up: (A) Cushing QoL, (B) BDI-II, (C) STAI-State, (D) STAI-Trait. Direct comparison between the 2 treatment modalities was performed only in the longest available follow-up visit for each patient. Caps represent SEM. Only P-values ≤ .05 are displayed.

Abbreviations: BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II; QoL, quality of life; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

 

Mean scores at baseline and longest follow-up in total cohort, patients after transsphenoidal surgery, and patients on medical therapy for (A) Cushing QoL, (B) BDI-II, (C) STAI-State, (D) STAI-Trait. Caps represent SEM. Asterisks (*) indicate significant change from baseline to follow-up (P ≤ .05) and brackets significant differences between the 2 treatment modalities at the longest follow-up visit (P ≤ .05).

Figure 4.

Mean scores at baseline and longest follow-up in total cohort, patients after transsphenoidal surgery, and patients on medical therapy for (A) Cushing QoL, (B) BDI-II, (C) STAI-State, (D) STAI-Trait. Caps represent SEM. Asterisks (*) indicate significant change from baseline to follow-up (P ≤ .05) and brackets significant differences between the 2 treatment modalities at the longest follow-up visit (P ≤ .05).

Abbreviations: BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II; QoL, quality of life; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

MID achievement and predictors of improvement

In the overall cohort, CushingQoL MID was achieved in 42 of the 65 patients (64.6%) (Fig. 5). When stratified by follow-up duration, MID achievement rates were 60.8% in G1 (n = 45), 70.0% in G2 (n = 30), and 60.9% (n = 23) in G3.

 

MID achievement rates for all patient-reported outcomes at most recent follow-up.

Figure 5.

MID achievement rates for all patient-reported outcomes at most recent follow-up.

Abbreviations: MID, minimal important difference.

Males (n = 11) improved more than female patients (n = 54) (27.8 ± 13.0 vs 15.5 ± 21.9; P  = .020) and achieved the MID more frequently (90.9% vs 59.3%; P  = .045). Even though they presented with lower baseline scores compared to females (33.2 ± 16.3 vs 44.3 ± 20.7), that difference was not significant (P  = .117).

Score change differed by BMI category, using as cut-off the baseline mean of our cohort (≤33.2 vs >33.2 kg/m²): patients with lower BMI (n = 34) improved considerably more than those with higher BMI (n = 31) (median score change: 26 vs 11; P = .023). Likewise, MID achievement was more common in the low-BMI group (76.5% vs 51.6%; P = .036).

Patients presenting with recurrent disease at baseline (n = 16) reported better baseline QoL than those with primary disease (n = 49) (51.6 ± 19.5 vs 39.5 ± 20.9; P = .046), and their mean improvement following treatment was smaller (7.2 ± 21.0 vs 21.0 ± 19.8; P = .022). Only 43.8% of recurrent cases achieved the MID compared to 71.4% of primary cases (P = .044).

Patients reporting symptom duration ≥3 years prior to diagnosis (n = 29) were less likely to achieve the MID compared to those with shorter symptom duration (n = 35) (48.3% vs 66.7%; P = .008).

Patients with at least 1 abnormal LNSC (n = 15) value at follow-up were less likely to meet MID compared to those with normal LNSC values (n = 28) (33.3% vs 75.0%; P = .008). Similarly, patients requiring HC replacement (after their first TSS or unilateral adrenalectomy for adrenal CS) for >6 months (n = 22) were more likely to achieve MID than those requiring ≤6 months (n = 30) (81.8% vs 50.0%; P = .019).

MID achievement rates between the TSS and medical-therapy groups differed (71.4% vs 47.4%) but did not reach significance (P = .070).

Baseline 24 hours UFC was inversely correlated with baseline CushingQoL score (ρ = −0.3; P = .035), indicating a relationship between biochemical and symptomatic disease severity.

BDI-II

Fifty-six patients (60 case pairs) were included in this subgroup. In the overall cohort, improvements in BDI-II score were seen at all follow-up time points: mean change in G1 was 4.7 ± 9.2 (P = .004); in G2, 7.7 ± 7.3 (P  < .001); and in G3, 7.6 ± 10.6 (P = .008). In the overall cohort, mean improvement from baseline to the longest follow-up was 6.8 ± 8.6 points (P  < .001) (Table 4, Fig. 2B). Of note, a significant 7.3-point improvement was noted between follow-up G1 (6 months) and follow-up G2 (12 months) (n = 11, P = .025), indicating continued improvement in depressive symptoms over time after treatment.

 
Table 4.

BDI-II scores at baseline, follow-up visit, and mean score change in each time-based group for total cohort, patients who had TSS and patients on medical therapy

Category Subgroup n Baseline mean Follow-up visit mean Mean change SD (change) P-value
Total cohort Longest follow-up 60 15.7 8.9 6.8 8.6 <.001
Group 1 37 17.0 12.2 4.7 9.2 .004
Group 2 26 15.2 7.5 7.7 7.3 <.001
Group 3 18 15.9 8.3 7.6 10.6 .008
TSS Longest follow-up 32 17.1 8.2 8.8 8.1 <.001
Group 1 22 18.6 13.6 5.0 10.9 .043
Group 2 17 14.7 6.7 8.0 8.1 <.001
Group 3 6 20.5 8.3 12.2 4.7 .001
Medical therapy Longest follow-up 18 14.4 11.0 3.4 9.9 .159
Group 1 8 14.6 11.0 3.6 6.7 .171
Group 2 6 18.3 10.8 7.5 7.1 .049
Group 3 9 11.8 8.8 3.0 13.3 .517

Abbreviations: BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II; TSS, transsphenoidal surgery.

Among the 32 patients who underwent TSS, improvements were noted across all follow-up time groups, with mean scores decreasing from 17.1 ± 10.9 to 8.2 ± 7.0 at the longest follow-up (P  < .001). In contrast, the 18 patients treated medically did not experience a significant change (P = .159). Improvement following TSS was significantly greater than with medical therapy at longest follow-up for each case (8.8 ± 8.1 vs 3.4 ± 9.9; P = .043) (Figs. 3B and 4B).

MID achievement and improvement predictors

Thirty-eight patients (67.9%) achieved MID by their longest follow-up (Fig. 5). Twenty-nine (51.8%) patients had baseline scores ≥14 points, indicating mild or moderate depression, and 23 (79.3%) of these patients met the MID. By follow-up duration, overall MID achievement rates were 56.8% in G1 (n = 37), 76.9% in G2 (n = 26), and 72.2% in G3 (n = 18).

By treatment approach, MID was met by 75.0% of patients who had TSS (n = 32) and 38.9% of patients on medication (n = 18) (P = .012). All patients who underwent BLA (n = 4) or RT (n = 1) and 5 out of 6 patients treated for adrenal CS achieved MID.

Patients with recurrent and primary disease did not differ in terms of baseline score (P = .267). However, those with recurrent disease were less likely to achieve MID (42.9% vs 76.2%; n = 14 vs 75.6%; n = 42, P = .021).

Symptom duration prior to diagnosis was inversely correlated with BDI-II score change (ρ = −0.33, P = .016). Patients experiencing symptoms for ≥3 years (n = 24) exhibited lower MID achievement rates compared to those with shorter symptom duration (n = 31) (50.0% vs 83.9%; P = .007).

Patients with normal LNSC at follow-up had higher MID achievement rates (81.5%; n = 27 vs 45.5%; n = 11, P = .026).

STAI

STAI-S

Fifty-six patients (60 case pairs) completed the STAI-State questionnaire. All follow-up time groups exhibited improvements, although in G3 the score decrease did not reach significance. In the overall cohort, mean scores declined from 44.8 ± 14.0 to 35.3 ± 11.2 at the longest follow-up (P < .001) (Table 5).

 
Table 5.

STAI scores at baseline, follow-up visit, and mean score change in total cohort, patients who had TSS and patients on medical therapy

Outcome Category Subgroup n Baseline mean Follow-up visit mean Mean change SD (change) P-value
STAI-State Total cohort Longest follow-up 60 44.8 35.3 9.6 12.5 <.001
Group 1 40 45.9 36.6 9.3 12.3 <.001
Group 2 25 46.2 35.3 10.8 10.8 <.001
Group 3 17 42.4 36.1 6.3 13.8 .078
TSS Longest follow-up 33 44.4 34.3 10.1 12.3 <.001
Group 1 24 44.4 35.8 8.6 11.9 .002
Group 2 16 43.7 33.9 9.8 11.9 .005
Group 3 7 46.0 37.9 8.1 12.1 .126
Medical therapy Longest follow-up 17 47.2 37.4 9.8 14.7 .014
Group 1 9 50.9 37.2 13.7 13.7 .017
Group 2 5 56.4 39.8 16.6 8.4 .012
Group 3 8 36.3 34.6 2.0 14.9 .715
STAI-Trait Total cohort Longest follow-up 58 46.0 37.3 8.6 12.6 <.001
Group 1 36 47.9 40.3 7.6 12.0 <.001
Group 2 26 45.7 36.0 9.6 10.9 <.001
Group 3 16 46.7 36.9 9.8 13.2 .010
TSS Longest follow-up 31 47.5 36.7 10.7 12.2 <.001
Group 1 22 47.9 40.6 7.3 11.5 .008
Group 2 16 46.3 35.9 10.4 11.4 .002
Group 3 6 54.0 37.8 16.2 7.5 .003
Medical therapy Longest follow-up 18 45.1 38.8 6.2 13.4 .065
Group 1 8 49.5 39.8 9.8 14.0 .089
Group 2 6 47.5 36.2 11.3 10.9 .052
Group 3 8 39.3 37.5 1.8 12.7 .709

Abbreviations: STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; TSS, transsphenoidal surgery.

By treatment modality, state anxiety improved in both the TSS group (10.1 ± 12.3; n = 33; P < .001) and patients on medical therapy (9.8 ± 14.7; n = 17; P = .014) (Figs. 3C and 4C).

MID achievement and improvement predictors

Overall, 30 of 56 (53.5%) patients achieved MID in STAI-State at their longest follow-up visit (Fig. 5). By follow-up duration, MID achievement rates were 52.5% in G1 (n = 40), 56.1% in G2 (n = 25), and 64.7% in G3 (n = 17).

A negative correlation was observed between STAI-S score change and baseline age (ρ = −0.3, P = .029). Patients >40 years old at baseline (n = 29), improved less than younger patients (n = 27) [median score change: 5 vs 13 (P = .017)] and were less likely to meet the MID, with results approaching statistical significance (41.4% vs 66.7%, P = .058).

STAI-T

Fifty-three patients (58 case pairs) were evaluated. In the overall cohort, mean score change from baseline to longest follow-up was 8.6 ± 12.6 points (P < .001). In time-based subgroups the following score reductions were noted: G1: 7.6 ± 12.0 (P < .001), G2: 9.6 ± 10.9 (P < .001), G3: 9.8 ± 13.2 (P = .010) (Fig. 2D). Among patients treated with TSS (n = 31), significant improvement was seen in every subgroup. Patients receiving medical therapy (n = 18) showed numerical but not statistically significant improvement (P = .065) (Table 5, Figs. 3D and 4D).

MID achievement and improvement predictors

STAI-Trait MID was achieved by 28 (52.8%) patients at the longest follow-up (Fig. 5). By follow-up duration, MID achievement rates were 44.4% in G1, 53.8% in G2, and 68.8% in G3.

Patients ≤40 years at baseline (n = 26) improved more than those aged >40 years (n = 27), with results approaching significance [median score change: 14 vs 4 (P = .060)].

Patients with ≥2 Follow-up Visits

Twenty-eight patients had multiple follow-up visits; we stratified by follow-up duration (<2 years vs ≥2 years) [Table S1 (30)].

Cushing QoL

Significant improvements were noted in all groups with pairwise comparisons revealing higher scores in both first and second follow-up, with the mean score changing by 14.9 (P = .002) and 21.5 (P < .001) points, respectively, in total cohort.

BDI-II

Although the overall trajectory demonstrated significant improvement, pairwise comparisons showed no significant changes between baseline and first follow-up. Improvement was noted between baseline and the second follow-up visit (P < .001) and between the 2 treated visits (P = .021) (Table 6).

 
Table 6.

BDI-II mean scores and pairwise comparisons in patients with 2 follow-up visits

Comparison Mean score A Mean score B Mean difference P-value
Baseline vs follow-up 1 16.9 13.0 4.846 .200
Baseline vs follow-up 2 16.9 7.1 9.731 <.001
Follow-up 1 vs follow-up 2 13.0 7.1 4.885 .021

Abbreviations: BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II.

STAI-S

Overall, the mean score decreased from 45.9 ± 13.0 at baseline to 38.3 ± 12.4 at the first follow-up and to 36.1 ± 10.9 at the second follow-up (P = .005). In cases with follow-up ≥2 years (n = 13), the score trajectory did not change significantly from baseline (P = .187). In contrast, patients with total follow-up <2 years (n = 11) exhibited significant improvement (P = .008).

STAI-T

Overall, the mean score decreased from 49.2 ± 9.0 at baseline to 39.8 ± 11.6 at first follow-up and further to 36.4 ± 10.5 at second follow-up (P < .001). Significant improvement noted from baseline to both follow-up visits in both subgroups (P < .001).

Regression Analyses for Predictors of Change

In all measurements, after controlling for age and sex, baseline score was an independent predictor of greater change (P < .001) (Table 7). Patients with more impaired QoL, or severe depression and anxiety at baseline, had more room for improvement.

 
Table 7.

Predictors of mean score change from baseline to most recent follow-up of each patient in univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis

Outcome Parameter Univariable analysis Multivariable analysis
Estimate SE P-value Estimate SE P-value
Cushing QoL score change Baseline score −0.50 0.11 <.001 −0.47 0.11 <.001
Baseline age −0.05 0.20 .797 −0.04 0.19 .825
Male sex 12.11 6.83 .081 7.49 6.68 .267
Baseline age ≤40 (vs >40) −3.43 5.23 .515 −4.90 4.89 .321
Normal LNSC (vs abnormal) −19.98 6.4 .004 −19.39 5.26 .001
HC replacement >6 months (vs ≤6 months) 10.06 5.90 .095 12.35 4.96 .016
Primary disease at baseline (vs recurrent) −13.19 5.86 .028 −6.63 5.60 .241
Baseline BMI ≤33.2 kg/m2 (vs >33.2 kg/m2) −8.72 5.1 .095 −6.53 4.71 .171
Symptom duration ❤ years (vs ≥3 years) −4.60 5.25 .384 −4.55 4.70 .337
Treatment (TSS vs medical therapy) −7.87 5.8 .185 −4.23 5.41 .473
BDI-II score change Baseline score 0.57 0.09 <.001 0.58 0.09 <.001
Baseline age −0.08 0.09 .402 0.02 0.08 .797
Male sex −0.59 3.07 .848 0.80 2.53 .752
Baseline age ≤40 (vs >40) −3.96 4.82 .429 −0.52 2.02 .800
Normal LNSC (vs abnormal) −3.01 3.06 .332 −3.27 1.87 .090
HC replacement >6 months (vs ≤6 months) 0.06 2.577 .980 2.33 1.90 .226
Primary disease at baseline (vs recurrent) −4.76 2.63 .076 −2.66 2.17 .224
Baseline BMI ≤33.2 kg/m2 vs >33.2 kg/m2 −3.79 2.29 .104 −1.41 1.90 .462
Symptom duration ❤ years (vs ≥3 years) −5.61 2.23 .015 −3.49 1.78 .055
Treatment (TSS vs medical therapy) −5.46 2.60 .041 −3.94 2.02 .057
STAI-State score change Baseline score 0.57 0.09 <.001 0.56 0.09 <.001
Baseline age −0.22 0.13 .104 −0.11 0.12 .338
Male sex −5.70 4.37 .197 −4.39 3.69 .239
Baseline age ≤40 (vs >40) −5.94 3.30 .078 −3.75 2.73 .175
Normal LNSC (vs abnormal) −2.15 3.95 .589 −4.47 2.89 .131
HC replacement >6 months (vs ≤6 months) 0.72 3.45 .836 4.42 2.81 .123
Primary disease at baseline (vs recurrent) 2.41 3.91 .743 2.14 2.91 .465
Baseline BMI ≤33.2 kg/m2 (vs >33.2 kg/m2) −2.36 3.38 .488 −0.93 2.56 .716
Symptom duration ❤ years (vs ≥3 years) −5.67 3.33 .095 −3.26 2.46 .192
Treatment (TSS vs medical therapy) −1.50 3.91 .970 −2.77 2.97 .355
STAI-Trait score change Baseline score 0.58 0.11 <.001 0.56 0.12 <.001
Baseline age −0.20 0.13 .128 −0.07 0.11 .562
Male sex −3.09 4.57 .502 −0.83 4.13 .841
Baseline age ≤40 (vs >40) −5.45 3.36 .111 −2.55 3.03 .405
Normal LNSC (vs abnormal) −6.52 4.23 .133 −6.74 3.44 .059
HC replacement >6 months (vs ≤6 months) 4.63 3.52 .195 7.11 2.87 .018
Primary disease at baseline (vs recurrent) −2.07 3.90 .597 −0.34 3.42 .921
Baseline BMI ≤33.2 kg/m2 (vs >33.2 kg/m2) −4.95 3.38 .150 −2.59 3.00 .393
Symptom duration ❤ years (vs ≥3 years) −5.78 3.37 .093 −4.35 2.80 .127
Treatment (TSS vs medical therapy) −4.49 3.74 .236 −3.39 3.11 .281

Each predictor in multivariable analysis was separately evaluated, adjusting for baseline age, sex, and baseline score. In models exploring baseline age <40 years as a categorical variable, continuous baseline age was not included in the multivariable model. Statistically significant results (P ≤ .05) are indicated in bold.

Abbreviations: BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II; BMI, body mass index; HC, hydrocortisone; LNSC, late-night salivary cortisol; QoL, quality of life; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; TSS, transsphenoidal surgery.

Cushing QoL

Normal LNSC at follow-up and >6 months of postoperative HC replacement were predictors of QoL score improvement and MID achievement even after adjustment for baseline score, age, and sex. Lower baseline BMI and male sex, although significant in univariable analysis, were no longer significant in the multivariable linear model. However, a BMI < 33.2 kg/m² (P = .034) and symptom duration ❤ years prior to diagnosis (P = .005) remained statistically significant predictors of reaching the MID in the multivariable logistic model (Table 8, Fig. 6). To determine if treatment modality modified the effect of LNSC, we built a model including baseline QoL score, age, sex, follow-up LNSC, and treatment type (TSS vs medical therapy). In this multivariable model, normal LNSC remained a significant predictor of improvement (P = .023).

 

MID achievement predictors after multivariable analysis for (A) Cushing QoL, (B) BDI-II, (C) STAI-State. Each predictor was analyzed in a separate logistic regression model after adjustment for baseline score, age, and sex. Predictors for trait anxiety are not shown, as a longer duration of postoperative HC replacement was a significant predictor only in the linear multivariable regression model.

Figure 6.

MID achievement predictors after multivariable analysis for (A) Cushing QoL, (B) BDI-II, (C) STAI-State. Each predictor was analyzed in a separate logistic regression model after adjustment for baseline score, age, and sex. Predictors for trait anxiety are not shown, as a longer duration of postoperative HC replacement was a significant predictor only in the linear multivariable regression model.

Abbreviations: BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II; HC, hydrocortisone; LNSC, late-night salivary cortisol; QoL, quality of life; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; TSS, transsphenoidal surgery.

 
Table 8.

Predictors of MID achievement from baseline to most recent follow-up of each patient in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models

Outcome Parameter Univariable analysis Multivariable analysis
Estimate SE P-value Estimate SE P-value
Cushing QoL MID achievement Baseline score 0.94 0.02 <.001 0.94 0.02 <.001
Baseline age 1.01 0.02 .548 1.02 0.03 .410
Male sex 6.89 1.09 .076 3.82 1.16 .249
Baseline age ≤40 (vs >40) 1.01 0.52 .987 1.27 0.62 .704
Normal LNSC (vs abnormal) 6.00 0.70 .011 22.82 1.17 .007
HC replacement >6 months (vs ≤6 months) 4.50 0.66 .023 14.49 0.99 .007
Primary disease at baseline (vs recurrent) 3.21 0.60 .050 1.78 0.68 .400
Baseline BMI ≤33.2 kg/m2 (vs >33.2 kg/m2) 3.05 0.54 .039 4.33 0.69 .034
Symptom duration ❤ years (vs ≥3 years) 4.29 0.56 .010 9.07 0.78 .005
Treatment (TSS vs medical therapy) 2.79 0.57 .074 2.36 0.68 .209
BDI-II MID achievement Baseline score 1.08 0.04 .064 1.08 0.04 .042
Baseline age 1.02 0.02 .510 1.01 0.03 .613
Male sex 5.28 1.10 .130 5.76 1.14 .126
Baseline age ≤40 (vs >40) 1.11 0.57 .854 1.05 0.63 .937
Normal LNSC (vs abnormal) 5.28 0.78 .033 14.86 1.25 .030
HC replacement >6 months (vs ≤6 months) 2.00 0.65 .288 2.32 0.71 .236
Primary disease at baseline (vs recurrent) 4.27 0.65 .026 2.67 0.71 .165
Baseline BMI ≤33.2 kg/m2 (vs >33.2 kg/m2) 1.94 0.58 .255 1.55 0.66 .504
Symptom duration < 3 years (vs ≥3 years) 5.20 0.64 .010 5.74 0.70 .012
Treatment (TSS vs medical therapy) 4.71 0.63 .014 4.19 0.69 .039
STAI-State MID achievement Baseline score 1.17 0.04 <.001 1.19 0.05 <.001
Baseline age 0.97 0.02 .241 0.96 0.03 .261
Male sex 1.95 0.71 .347 3.17 1.00 .249
Baseline age ≤40 (vs >40) 2.83 0.56 .061 5.87 0.89 .048
Normal LNSC (vs abnormal) 2.02 0.73 .337 2.41 1.04 .396
HC replacement >6 months (vs ≤6 months) 0.94 0.59 .943 2.66 0.97 .313
Primary disease at baseline (vs recurrent) 1.21 0.62 .757 2.15 0.92 .408
Baseline BMI ≤33.2 kg/m2 (vs >33.2 kg/m2) 2.05 0.54 .189 1.57 0.82 .584
Symptom duration < 3 years (vs ≥3 years) 1.39 0.55 .52 0.98 0.77 .980
Treatment (TSS vs medical therapy) 1.95 0.62 .279 1.44 0.78 .634
STAI-Trait MID achievement Baseline score 1.17 0.05 <.001 1.17 0.05 <.001
Baseline age 0.98 0.02 .295 0.97 0.03 .342
Male sex 2.33 0.75 .257 4.16 1.02 .161
Baseline age ≤40 (vs >40) 2.12 0.56 .175 2.32 0.76 .265
Normal LNSC (vs abnormal) 1.78 0.71 .416 1.48 0.96 .686
HC replacement >6 months (vs ≤6 months) 1.58 0.60 .450 4.21 0.95 .130
Primary disease at baseline (vs recurrent) 2.45 0.61 .138 2.06 0.90 .421
Baseline BMI ≤33.2 kg/m2 (vs >33.2 kg/m2) 1.98 0.54 .202 1.11 0.79 .891
Symptom duration < 3 years (vs ≥3 years) 1.09 0.53 .866 0.99 0.71 .984
Treatment (TSS vs medical therapy) 1.39 0.60 .585 1.18 0.82 .839

Each predictor in multivariable analysis was separately evaluated, adjusting for baseline age, sex and baseline score. In models exploring baseline age <40 years as a categorical variable, continuous baseline age was not included in the multivariable model. Statistically significant results (P ≤ .05) are indicated in bold.

Abbreviations: BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II; BMI, body mass index; HC, hydrocortisone; LNSC, late-night salivary cortisol; MID, minimal important difference; QoL, quality of life; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; TSS, transsphenoidal surgery.

BDI-II

Symptom duration ❤ years (P = .012), normal LNSC at follow-up (P = .030), and TSS (P = .039) instead of medical therapy (for CD) were statistically significant predictors of MID achievement in the multivariable logistic models even after adjusting for age, sex, and baseline score (Table 8, Fig. 6).

STAI-S

In the multivariable logistic model adjusted for sex and baseline score, age <40 predicted higher odds of MID achievement (P = .041) (Table 8, Fig. 6).

STAI-T

After adjustments for sex and baseline score, age group <40 was no longer a predictor of improvement. Although nonsignificant in univariable screening, duration of postoperative HC replacement >6 months emerged as a significant predictor of score change, though not MID achievement, after adjusting for age, sex, and baseline score (Tables 7 and 8).

Discussion

In a clinical practice cohort of patients with CS followed prospectively before and over time up to 11.5 years after surgical remission and/or biochemical control from medical treatment, we identified significant improvements in mean QoL, depression, and anxiety scores in the overall cohort, but only half of patients achieved clinically meaningful improvements in anxiety, as assessed by MID, and about two-thirds of the cohort achieved clinically meaningful improvements in QoL and depression at their most recent follow-up. When assessed by treatment strategy, surgery resulted in statistically significant improvements in all 3 measures, whereas medical therapy resulted in statistically significant improvements in state anxiety but not QoL or depression. These findings may be impacted by the smaller cohort size of the medically treated patients and more complex treatment journeys in the medically vs surgically treated patients. Overall, in this cohort of treated, biochemically controlled patients, several predictors of improvements were identified, including age, baseline BMI, duration of symptoms prior to treatment, duration of HC requirement after surgery, and LNSC normalization with treatment.

PRO studies in CS have shown that patients with CS are at risk for mood disorders and impaired QoL at diagnosis and that improvement posttreatment is often partial, delayed, or inconsistent, even after biochemical remission (3-12). The most recent prospective study confirmed persistent deficits in QoL and depressive symptoms up to 1 year postsurgery, with mean BDI-II scores remaining in the clinically significant range (9). As for anxiety, a prospective study reported high baseline anxiety in patients with CD, and, although it improved after surgery, a proportion continued to experience anxiety up to 1 year posttreatment (14). Neuroimaging supports a biological basis for these symptoms, with brain abnormalities (hippocampal atrophy, cortical thinning, white matter damage) seen after biochemical cure possibly explaining the long-term emotional and cognitive deficits in some patients (12, 15). As for previously reported predictors of improvement, male sex, lower BMI at follow-up (4, 31, 32), LNSC normalization (17), and shorter duration of cortisol exposure (32, 33) emerged as independent predictors of better QoL. Persistent hormone deficits or arginine vasopressin deficiency were related to worse depression (9) while increased age and male sex predicted less anxiety (31). While some studies suggest that hypopituitarism and HC replacement are associated with poorer outcomes (11, 34), others found no significant difference (35). Limitations of these studies include the cross-sectional design (4, 31-36), small cohort sizes (9), and lack of long-term follow-up >12 months (37), especially in the setting of clinical trials (17).

In our study, QoL, depression, and anxiety improved following treatment, but the patterns varied by domain and follow-up duration.

As for QoL, interestingly, patients with recurrent disease showed better baseline QoL scores than those with primary disease, possibly due to posttreatment surveillance, resulting in earlier diagnosis at recurrence vs initial presentation. Although patients on medical therapy showed a trend toward improvement with treatment, results did not reach significance, potentially due to sample size or the increased (better) baseline scores in patients with recurrent disease and thus those receiving medical treatment. Most patients on medical therapy had persistent or recurrent disease and have experienced longer, more complex treatment journeys (as depicted in Fig. 1) compared to those in surgical remission, which also may impact QoL and mood outcomes. Notably, in patients with 2 follow-up visits, QoL continued to significantly improve 6 months posttreatment in those treated surgically but not in the total cohort.

Multivariable analysis revealed several predictors of QoL improvement after treatment. LNSC normalization was independently associated with approximately 20 times higher odds of achieving the MID, indicating the clinical importance of recovery of cortisol circadian rhythm for treated CS patients and the need for further work to identify medical therapies and regimens that can facilitate this. Postoperative HC replacement for more than 6 months after surgery (indicating a longer hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis recovery) was also associated with greater QoL improvement. This finding complements prior work showing an association between duration of postoperative HC replacement and long-term remission (38, 39). Lower baseline BMI and shorter symptom duration were predictive of MID achievement, though not of mean score change.

As for depression, patients with 2 follow-ups had a distinct pattern: no significant change between baseline and first follow-up but significant improvement between the 2 follow-up visits. This suggests that depression may take longer to improve, with more evident change >6 months after biochemical control, which contrasts prior work suggesting that anxiety takes longer than depression to improve (14). The delayed trajectory could reflect the structural brain changes seen in CS even in remission, which are partially reversible (12, 40). Our data showed that symptom duration > 3 years prior to diagnosis reduced MID achievement, consistent with the literature linking diagnostic delay to persistent depression (33). A normal follow-up LNSC was associated with approximately 15 times higher odds of achieving the MID after adjustment, again emphasizing the need to attempt LNSC normalization while on medical therapy (9, 17).

As for anxiety, to date, no prospective study has assessed anxiety longitudinally using STAI, the gold standard for measuring and differentiating between trait and state anxiety (29). Our results confirm that anxiety improves after treatment; however, state and trait show different patterns. State anxiety was the only domain overall to improve significantly in the medical therapy group, while trait anxiety showed only a trend. Although age <40 predicted greater anxiety improvements in both, this remained significant only for state anxiety after adjustment in the logistic model. Trait anxiety improvements were predicted by longer postoperative HC replacement in the linear multivariable model, again suggesting that a shorter recovery time of the HPA axis may be an early indicator for identifying patients who require a closer follow-up. A normal LNSC at follow-up approached significance in the multivariable linear model, suggesting the importance of circadian rhythm recovery in trait anxiety improvement as well.

Across all measures, we found no baseline or outcome differences between pituitary and adrenal CS or between those on or off HC replacement at their last follow-up. Of note, our cohort was predominantly CD patients, and the small number of adrenal CS patients may limit the ability to detect a difference in the 2 cohorts.

Overall, discrepancies between mean change and MID achievement, as reflected in the linear and logistic models, respectively, highlight the importance of reporting both metrics when available, as they may capture different but clinically useful predictors.

We also observed differences between score change and MID achievement across different time groups within the same questionnaire. In STAI-State, G2 (12-18 months since most recent treatment) had greater score reductions than G3 (24 months or more posttreatment)—though change in G3 was nearly significant. However, a higher proportion of patients in G3 achieved MID. Looking at our data, G3 had the highest SD of mean change, indicating greater heterogeneity in treatment response, likely due to broader range of follow-up duration or higher medical therapy rates among patients: 45.5% (n = 10) in G3 vs 22.6% (n = 6) in G2% and 20% (n = 8) in G1. This variability in state anxiety is reflected in the subgroup of patients with 2 follow-up visits: those followed for >2 years showed no significant improvement, while those with <2 years did. Differential responses to long-term medical therapy, higher rates of loss to follow-up among postsurgical patients, or the negative impact of time on state anxiety symptoms may explain this. For BDI-II we used a percentage-based MID, which likely contributed to greater alignment with mean changes, and accounted for individual variability and baseline severity, factors especially relevant when applying generic tools in disease-specific contexts.

Of note, in the cohort overall, the mean follow-up score was within the normal range for depression (<14 for BDI-II) and anxiety (<40 for STAI) (41). This is an encouraging finding that, on average, patients with treated CS may have rates of depression and anxiety that are not clinically significant. Nevertheless, as shown in Table 2, rates of antidepressant, anxiolytic, pain, and sleep medication use did not decrease with treatment but instead were stable or increased numerically, although they were not statistically significant. Similarly, case-control studies have reported higher depression and anxiety levels in patients with CS in remission when compared to healthy controls, even if the mean scores were within the normal range for both groups (15, 42). Whether this difference is clinically significant still remains inconclusive. Taken together, these results emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary pituitary centers that integrate formal psychological services, including psychiatric care and social work support, to monitor and promote long-term mental health in this population.

Inclusion of both surgically and medically treated patients may be considered a limitation to the study, since it introduces heterogeneity in the cohort. However, including patients undergoing a range of treatments allows for analysis of CS cohorts as seen in a real-world practice rather than a controlled clinical trial setting, thus providing clinically valuable information. Another limitation of the study is the use of clinically available, rather than centralized, hormone assays, again introducing variability in our data. As this cohort included patients treated at our center, their endocrine testing followed standard of care, which did not include sending samples to a centralized laboratory. The use of antidepressants in a minority of patients could potentially affect depression scores. However, this is an unavoidable reality in patients with CS, and their use was stable over time (14.9% at baseline vs 19.4% at follow-up, P = .49). Given our prospective study design, which captured each patient’s change relative to their own baseline, and adjustment for baseline scores in multivariable models, any confounding is likely limited.

Despite these limitations, our data contribute to the literature as the largest clinical practice cohort to date that prospectively characterizes QoL and mood disturbances in CS patients, before and over time after achieving biochemical control. By incorporating 3 longitudinal time points, we identified that the greatest improvements occur within the first 6 months for QoL and anxiety, while depression improves more gradually beyond that point. Another strength of our approach is the use of score change and MID as outcomes when exploring potential predictors of improvement and not remission score per se, enabling more precise tracking of each patient’s progress and supporting an individualized approach by accounting for baseline severity.

In summary, this prospective analysis of mood and Qol in a clinical practice cohort of patients with CS showed that effective treatment of hypercortisolism improves depression, anxiety, and QoL, but one-third to one-half of patients do not experience clinically meaningful improvements in these measures. We identified predictors of improvement that highlight the need for early detection of CS and treatment strategies that allow for recovery of cortisol circadian rhythm. Psychological recovery in CS is heterogeneous, domain-specific, and not always aligned with biochemical normalization. Our findings support a model of care that extends beyond endocrine remission, integrating psychosocial follow-up and individualized treatment.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the people with Cushing’s syndrome who contributed their valuable time to this research.

Funding

This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute Support Grant P30 CA008748.

https://academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article/doi/10.1210/clinem/dgaf598/8307075?login=false

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Novel Cushing’s Syndrome Drug Improves Hypertension, Hyperglycemia

Posted on July 18, 2025 by MaryO

The investigational selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator relacorilant led to improvements in blood pressure, fasting glucose, and weight for patients with adrenal hypercortisolism, a pair of phase III studies showed.

In pooled data from the GRACE and GRADIENT trials, adults with adrenal hypercortisolism and hypertension on relacorilant had a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (-10.1 and -6.3 mm Hg, respectively) compared with placebo (1.5 and 2.2 mm Hg, respectively; both P<0.01), according to Corin Badiu, MD, PhD, of the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy and National Institute of Endocrinology in Bucharest, Romania.

At week 22, relacorilant patients had an average blood pressure of 128/81 mm Hg compared with 135/84 mm Hg with placebo, Badiu reported at ENDO 2025, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society.

As for those with hyperglycemia with or without hypertension at baseline, relacorilant significantly improved fasting glucose and glucose area under the curve (-0.7 and -2.4 mmol/L per hour, respectively) compared with placebo (0.4 and 1.3 mmol/L per hour, respectively; both P<0.05).

Relacorilant-treated participants also lost 4.1 kg (9 lb) compared with 1 kg (2.2 lb) in placebo patients (P<0.01).

“We expected a good hypertension control and an improved control of diabetes [with relacorilant],” Badiu told MedPage Today.

Acting as a selective cortisol modulator, relacorilant works by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor but not to other hormone receptors in the body. It was granted orphan drug designation by the FDA.

It works differently than other agents indicated for endogenous hypercortisolism (also known as Cushing’s syndrome) like the nonselective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone (Korlym), which can be difficult to use given its drug-drug interactions and side effects like endometrial hypertrophy and vaginal bleeding.

If approved, relacorilant could be a treatment option for patients with mild autonomous hypercortisolism with resistant hypertension or difficult-to-treat diabetes who are avoiding or reluctant to surgery, or have had previous unsuccessful surgery, said Badiu.

Because metabolic issues are so prevalent in endogenous hypercortisolism, Badiu advised healthcare providers to take “an active attitude for screening for endogenous autonomous hypercortisolism in every individual patient with metabolic syndrome.”

After confirmation of an endogenous hypercortisolism diagnosis, providers should present all available treatment options from surgery to medical treatment in a personalized manner, using multidisciplinary management — cardiology, endocrinology, imaging, surgery, rheumatology, psychology, etc. — in order to make appropriate decisions, he recommended.

The GRACE and GRADIENT trials recruited participants ages 18 to 80 with endogenous hypercortisolism along with hypertension, hyperglycemia (defined as impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes), or both.

At baseline, patients given relacorilant had an average weight of 88.6 kg (195.3 lb) and waist circumference was 110.9 cm. Those with hypertension with or without hyperglycemia had average 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 139.1 mm Hg and 86.4 mm Hg, respectively. For those with hyperglycemia with or without hypertension, average HbA1c was 6.5%, glucose area under the curve was 23.6 mmol/L per hour, and 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test was 11.8 mmol/L.

Participants on relacorilant had their dose titrated from 100 mg to 400 mg once daily based on tolerability and efficacy.

Treatment was safe and well-tolerated among patients, said Badiu, with no new emerging safety signal. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity.

As for adverse events of interest, there were no cases of relacorilant-induced irregular vaginal bleeding with endometrial hypertrophy or adrenal insufficiency, no events of relacorilant-induced QT prolongation, and no increases in cortisol concentrations and relacorilant-induced hypokalemia.

“Lack of hypokalemia as an adverse event was an additional positive finding,” said Badiu. “Some long-term effects on mood, sleep behavior, coagulation profile, bone metabolism, liver steatosis, and body composition are still subject to detailed analysis.”

Developer Corcept Therapeutics submitted a new drug application for relacorilant to the FDA late last year; a decision on approval is expected by the end of 2025. The drug is also currently being studied for ovarian, adrenal, and prostate cancers.

From https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/endo/116508

 

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Sterotherapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating ST-002 for Cushing’s Syndrome

Posted on June 30, 2025 by MaryO

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sterotherapeutics LLC, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on rare endocrine diseases, today announced that the first patient has been successfully dosed in its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ST-002 for the treatment of Cushing’s Syndrome.

This milestone follows the successful Investigator Meeting held earlier this year in Athens, Greece, marking the official trial activation. The multicenter European study is designed to assess the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of ST-002, a novel therapeutic candidate for patients suffering from Cushing’s Syndrome — a rare, debilitating condition caused by chronic exposure to excess cortisol.

“We are pleased to announce the dosing of the first patient in our Phase 2 trial of ST-002,” said Dr. Manohar Katakam, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Sterotherapeutics. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our clinical teams and the commitment of our investigators. ST-002 has the potential to change the treatment landscape for patients who currently have limited therapeutic options.”

Cushing’s Syndrome can lead to serious complications including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). With no universally effective treatment available, the initiation of patient dosing marks a critical advancement toward addressing this high unmet medical need.

“Our teams have worked diligently to reach this important moment,” added Dr. Constantine Stratakis, MD, PhD, Executive Medical Director of Sterotherapeutics and Professor of Pediatrics, Endocrinology and Genetics. “We remain focused on generating high-quality data that will inform the future development of ST-002 and provide hope for patients living with this challenging disorder and its associated complications, including diabetes and MASLD, the latter being assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and targeted measurements in our clinical study”

The trial is being conducted across multiple sites, with additional sites expected to open in the coming months. ST-002 has previously received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), reinforcing its potential value for patients with rare diseases and enabling regulatory incentives for development.

For more information about the trial or to inquire about participation, please contact: info@sterotx.com

About Sterotherapeutics:

Sterotherapeutics, based in the USA, is a clinical-stage company dedicated to developing novel therapeutics for orphan diseases with significant unmet needs. The company’s lead programs, ST-002 for Cushing’s Syndrome and ST-003 for primary sclerosing cholangitis, have demonstrated strong preclinical and early clinical results, with favorable safety profiles and well-understood mechanisms of action. Both programs have received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA. Learn more at www.sterotx.com

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