Endocrinol Metab.  2015 Mar;30(1):7-18. 10.3803/EnM.2015.30.1.7.

Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cushing's Disease in Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Inchon, Korea.
  • 4Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 5Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 6Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. igf1@unitel.co.kr

Abstract

Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare disorder characterized by the overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone due to a pituitary adenoma that ultimately stimulates excessive cortisol secretion from the adrenal glands. Prior to the detection of pituitary adenomas, various clinical signs of CD such as central obesity, moon face, hirsutism, and facial plethora are usually already present. Uncontrolled hypercortisolism is associated with metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychological disorders that result in increased mortality. Hence, the early detection and treatment of CD are not only important but mandatory. Because its clinical manifestations vary from patient to patient and are common in other obesity-related conditions, the precise diagnosis of CD can be problematic. Thus, the present set of guidelines was compiled by Korean experts in this field to assist clinicians with the screening, diagnoses, and treatment of patients with CD using currently available tests and treatment modalities.

Keyword

Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Corticotropin-releasing hormone; Pituitary ACTH hypersecretion; Cushing's disease; Inferior petrosal sinus sampling; Pasireotide; Pituitary adenomas; Transsphenoidal approach

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Glands
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Cushing Syndrome
Diagnosis*
Hirsutism
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Korea
Mass Screening
Mortality
Obesity, Abdominal
Petrosal Sinus Sampling
Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion
Pituitary Neoplasms
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Hydrocortisone

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