title: Hormone secretion in alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome. Differential diagnosis with Cushing disease.
abstract: We describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome in two patients with signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome and slight disturbances in liver function. An insufficient suppression of plasma cortisol to the overnight administration of 1 mg of dexamethasone was accompanied by an absent diurnal rhythm of plasma cortisol and an increased cortisol secretion rate. The plasma cortisol levels at 8 AM normalized during hospital admission (ie, alcohol withdrawal) at the same rate or parallel with the serum gamma-glutamyl transferase concentration. A normal increase of plasma cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and growth hormone in response to an insulin induced hypoglycemia was not compatible with the diagnosis Cushing's syndrome. However, the result of a differential diagnostic test with metyrapone was compatible with the presence of Cushing's disease. An erroneous diagnosis of Cushing's disease can be easily made in patients with alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone; D008875:Middle Aged; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008797:Metyrapone