Understanding Disease

Understanding

Cushing's Disease

By now you know you have been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. This rare condition is caused by a noncancerous tumor on the pituitary gland that is located at the base of the brain. The tumor causes the pituitary gland to release too much
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH causes the production and release of cortisol, the stress hormone. Having too much ACTH leads to excess amounts of cortisol in the body, which may lead to a number of health issues.

Prevalence & Impact

Cushing’s disease (CD) is the most common type of endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS)1,2 70% to 80% of endogenous CS is caused by CD2

Facts & figures:

Estimated prevalence of nearly 22 cases per million3

The annual incidence of Cushing’s disease is estimated to be 2.4 per million3,*

At least 3x more common in women than men and generally occurs between ages 20 and 504

*True incidence and prevalence rates for CD in the United States are unknown. Estimated data are pooled rates based on a meta-analysis of global CD epidemiology.3

CD Causes Elevated Cortisol

CD is a rare hormonal disorder caused by a pituitary adenoma that secretes excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).5 Excess ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol, leading to the clinical manifestations of CD.

Comorbidities are common

Patients with CD experience comorbidities at a higher rate than the general population.5 Although biochemical remission or a surgical cure is usually associated with clinical improvement, some comorbidities may not completely normalize.1,6


Hypertension and diabetes are the main long-term controllable risk factors for cardiovascular events and mortality; repeated long-term follow-up is recommended.7,8

Prolonged hypercortisolism exposure poses risks

Prolonged
hypercortisolism
exposure poses risks

In fact, the duration of hypercortisolism exposure is associated with a greater mortality risk.5,9 It is important to address comorbidities to enhance quality of life and decrease long-term mortality associated with CD.8


Uncontrolled chronic hypercortisolism also leads to elevated risks of multisystem morbidity and mortality.10 Patients with endogenous CS have an approximately 3.5 to 5 times higher mortality risk than the general population.11 While the risks of morbidity and mortality can decrease with biochemical remission, they're not entirely eliminated.1,8

PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO EXCESS CORTISOL are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality12

Venous

Thromboembolism

≈6.8x

higher risk

Heart

Failure

≈6.0x

higher risk

Stroke

≈4.5x

higher risk

Acute Myocardial

Infarction

≈6.8x

higher risk

Predicted Mortality Rate

The predicted mortality rate is nearly 2x higher for patients with uncured CD vs that for patients in remission13

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms can vary greatly by patient, further complicating the path to diagnosis1

Symptoms of hypercortisolism can mimic other common conditions.1 While thin skin, easy bruising, and muscle weakness are key indicators, not all patients exhibit these features. Confirming Cushing’s disease (CD) requires additional screening, including laboratory tests, imaging, and potentially, procedures.2

PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO EXCESS CORTISOL are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality12

The signs and symptoms of CD can be confusing8 :

Signs and symptoms vary from patient to patient12

Not all signs and symptoms are obvious and can depend on extent and persistence of disease8

In some cases, hypercortisolism may not present classically; patients may present with only isolated symptoms4

*Some patients may have hypercortisolism despite not having these typical phenotypes.4

References

Welcome to P'aware

Let’s get started. Please let us know whether you are a patient seeking support or a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclaimer

This site contains medical information that is intended for Healthcare Professionals only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a medical professional.
All decisions regarding patient care should be made considering the unique characteristics of the patient. 

About P'aware

Treatment & Monitoring

Treating Cushing's Treating Acromegaly's

Understanding Disease

Cushing's Disease Acrogemaly

Viewing As

© 2025 Paware. All rights reserved.

Privacy Terms