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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2024; 132(12): 705-711
DOI: 10.1055/a-2317-8821
Review

Cushing's Syndrome in the Elderly

Aleksandra Zdrojowy-Wełna
1   Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
2   Endocrinology Department, Wroclaw University Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland
,
Elena Valassi
3   Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital and Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
4   School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.
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Abstract

Management of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) can be particularly challenging in older patients, compared with younger individuals, due to the lack of several clinical features associated with cortisol excess along with a greater burden of associated comorbidities. Moreover, the interpretation of diagnostic tests could be influenced by age-related physiological changes in cortisol secretion. While mortality is higher and quality of life is more impaired in the elderly with CS as compared with the younger, there is currently no agreement on the most effective therapeutic options in aged individuals, and safety data concerning medical treatment are scanty. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about age-related differences in CS etiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes and describe the potential underlying mechanisms.

Keywords

Cushing’s syndrome - older patients - aging - hypercortisolism


Publication History

Received: 05 February 2024
Received: 11 April 2024

Accepted: 30 April 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
02 May 2024

Article published online:
25 June 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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