Authors: Giacomo Tirabassi Marco Boscaro Giorgio Arnaldi
Publish Date: 2013/11/27
Volume: 46, Issue: 3, Pages: 370-386
Abstract
Functional hypercortisolism FH is caused by conditions able to chronically activate hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and usually occurs in cases of major depression anorexia nervosa bulimia nervosa alcoholism diabetes mellitus simple obesity polycystic ovary syndrome obstructive sleep apnea syndrome panic disorder generalized anxiety disorder shift work and endstage renal disease Most of these states belong to pseudoCushing disease a condition which is difficult to distinguish from Cushing’s syndrome and characterized not only by biochemical findings but also by objective ones that can be attributed to hypercortisolism eg striae rubrae central obesity skin atrophy easy bruising etc This hormonal imbalance although reversible and generally mild could mediate some systemic complications mainly but not only of a metabolic/cardiovascular nature which are present in these states and are largely the same as those present in Cushing’s syndrome In this review we aim to discuss the evidence suggesting the emerging negative role for FH
Keywords: