Risk Factors

The risk of developing Cushing’s syndrome is small. About two to three people per million are diagnosed with the disease each year. The symptoms can be mistakenly attributed to other conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or osteoporosis. As a result, there are cases that might go undiagnosed. It most commonly develops in indviduals between the ages of 20 and 50 years and is three times more likely too develop in women than men.

Familial Cushing’s Syndrome

Individuals with some rare genetic disorders are more vulnerable to tumours in one or more glands that influence cortisol levels. As a result, these people are more likely to develop Cushing’s syndrome.

Pseudo-Cushing’s Syndrome

In rare instances, a person may have symptoms and test results that point to Cushing’s, but further testing reveals that he or she does not have the syndrome. This condition is termed "pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome." Factors that can cause this syndrome are alcohol dependence, depression or other psychiatric disorders, extreme obesity, pregnancy, and poorly controlled diabetes.

Untreated Cushing’s syndrome can be life-threatening—fortunately, most people with the syndrome are treated and cured, and have a normal life expectancy.

There are several possible complications that result from this disorder such as diabetes, fractures due to osteoporosis, hypertension, kidney stones and other serious infections. Ultimately, cushing syndrome can be life threatening.