Epidemiology

Cushing syndrome is relatively uncommon in the general population, with an incidence of 1.8 to 3.2 per million population per year.[11] However, studies of high-risk groups report a significantly greater prevalence.[8] Hypercortisolism has been reported in 0.5% to 1% of patients with hypertension, 2% to 3% of patients with uncontrolled diabetes, 5% to 10% of patients with adrenal masses, and 11% of patients with osteoporosis and vertebral fractures.[8][12][13][14][15] It is unclear if this increase in prevalence is due to higher-sensitivity testing, a greater recognition of disease in high-risk groups, or variability in the diagnostic criteria between historical and more-recent studies.

Cushing syndrome occurs 3 times more commonly in women than in men, and Cushing's disease (adrenocorticotrophic hormone-secreting pituitary tumour) has a 3:1 to 5:1 female-to-male predominance.[1] No ethnic disparities in prevalence have been identified. The majority of adults are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 years, although it can occur at any age. Cushing syndrome in children is unusual but well documented.[1]

Exogenous corticosteroid exposure is the most common cause of Cushing syndrome, but no data exist as to the exact epidemiology of exogenous disease. All currently reported statistics include only patients with endogenous Cushing syndrome.

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