Routine Screening for Cushing's Syndrome Is Not Required in Patients Presenting with Obesity

Abstract

Background. Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a relatively unusual condition that resembles many of the phenotypic features of obesity. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency of CS in obese patients. Materials and Methods. This study included 354 consecutive patients (87.9% female, age 37.8±13.4 years) who presented with simple obesity. All the patients were evaluated for the clinical signs of CS. Lipid parameters, fasting glucose (FPG) and insulin, 75 gr oral glucose tolerance test, basal cortisol and ACTH were measured. 1 mg overnight DST was performed. Results. The mean weight of the patients was 102.4±20.1 kg and BMI 40±7.35 kg/m2. 34.5% of the patients were hypertensive. 36.2% of the patients had central obesity, 72% dorsocervical fat accumulation, 28.8% abdominal striae and 23.2% acne. 49.4% of the women had hirsutism. 46.5% had prediabetes and 12.0% had type 2 diabetes, 72.6% had dyslipidemia. The mean cortisol and ACTH levels were as follows: 9.28±3.53 μg/dL and 17.02±10.43 pg/mL. Seven patients failed to suppress plasma cortisol to less than 1.8 μg/dL. Biochemical confirmation tests were performed in these patients and 2 of them were diagnosed glucocorticoid-secreting adrenal adenoma. Conclusions. Routine screening for CS in obese patients is not required.