News

A majority of rare disease patients using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic thought the experience positive, and many would like the option of continuing its use in future appointments, a series of surveys found. The surveys were conducted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and involved more than 800…

A 67-year-old woman developed bone cancer 30 years after receiving radiation therapy to treat Cushing’s disease, according to a case report.  Although the risk of bone cancer after radiation therapy is very low, this case highlights the need for long-term follow-up…

A woman with undiagnosed Cushing’s disease experienced a resolution of her hypercortisolism symptoms after a spontaneous pituitary apoplexy, and was retrospectively diagnosed via hair cortisol analysis, according to a recent case report. This study highlights the utility of testing cortisol levels in hair as a means of identifying…

Using steroid-based creams to treat skin conditions in the genital area may lead to the fast development of medication-related Cushing’s syndrome in adults with HIV on antiretroviral therapy with Norvir (ritonavir), a case report shows. A combination of higher steroid absorption in the genital mucosa…

Same But Different, a nonprofit U.K. group that uses art for social change, is inviting people to choose their favorite photographs in a calendar contest to heighten awareness of rare diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The organization’s panel of judges has pared the number of contest submissions…

Since morbid obesity by itself is not a telltale sign of Cushing’s syndrome, routine screenings for the disease in obese patients referred for weight-loss surgery is unnecessary, a study reported. Published in the journal Pamukkale Tıp Dergisi, the study was titled “Is screening for…

People with Cushing’s syndrome experience muscle weakness that persists even when the disorder is in remission, a new study shows. The study, “Persisting muscle dysfunction in Cushing’s syndrome despite biochemical remission,” was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by…

Patients prefer the overnight dexamethasone suppression test (ONDST) over the 24-hour urine analysis test as a first screening test for Cushing’s syndrome, a study has found. The study, “Preferred screening test for Cushing’s syndrome screening,” was published in the Journal of Endocrinology…

People with Cushing’s syndrome commonly experience cognitive and emotional problems, a new study indicates. The study, “Neuropsychological and Emotional Functioning in Patients with Cushing’s Syndrome,” was published in Behavioural Neurology. Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol. (Cushing’s disease…

Metopirone (metyrapone) safely normalized, or at least lowered by half, the levels of cortisol found in the urine of patients with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome, according to data from a Phase 3/4 clinical trial. Findings from the study, called PROMPT (NCT02297945), were presented recently by…