Psychiatric aspects of Cushing's syndrome.
Patients with Cushing's syndrome were studied (n = 209, 78% females). Control patients had pituitary adenomas secreting growth hormone or prolactin. Age at diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome was 8-74 (mean 39) years. Duration of symptoms was 0.2-9 (median 2.0) years. Adverse life events within the 2 years preceding the onset of Cushing's syndrome were not significantly commoner than in controls. Depressive illnesses were associated with the presence of adverse life events (p < 0.001). Depressive illness was more common in females (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the severity of depression in the different types of Cushing's syndrome. Pathological anxiety had been diagnosed in 26 patients (12%), mania or hypomania in six patients (3%) and confusion in three patients (1%). Psychotic illness had been diagnosed in 16 patients (8%) and was more common in adrenal carcinomas (p < 0.01). Significant psychiatric illness, usually depressive, preceded the onset of all symptoms and signs of Cushing's syndrome in 25 patients (12%); 23 of these developed pituitary Cushing's disease, and two adrenal adenomas. When Cushing's syndrome was diagnosed, significant psychiatric illness, usually depression, was present or had been a feature of Cushing's syndrome in 120 (57%) patients.
Kelly
W F
WF
Diabetes Care Centre, Middlesbrough General Hospital, UK.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications; D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications