Iatrogenic Cushing Syndrome Follow-up

Updated: Sep 30, 2022
  • Author: Ha Cam Thuy Nguyen, MD; Chief Editor: Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP  more...
  • Print
Follow-up

Complications

Complications of Cushing syndrome include the following:

Patients with Cushing syndrome due to exogenous steroid use are at risk for having an adrenal crisis if they do not receive stress dose steroids during acute illnesses. Untreated adrenal crises can lead to death.

High levels of exogenous glucocorticoids may mask the abdominal symptoms associated with catastrophic abdominal events such as perforated bowel.

Next:

Patient Education

Patients should be educated about adrenal crisis, sick day rules within the following year after exogenous glucocorticoids is stopped, and medical bracelet alert.

Instruction on specific medication use is indicated.

Previous