Cushing’s disease can lead to The symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome usually start with symptoms such as rapid weight gain, a round face often referred to as a “moon face“, and insomnia. It may progress to develop amenorrhoea, infertility and psychological disturbances. If left untreated, patients with Cushing’s syndrome may progress to develop diabetes, cardiovascular and psychiatric complications. The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease.

The symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome usually start with symptoms such as rapid weight gain, a round face often referred to as a “moon face“, and insomnia. It may progress to develop amenorrhoea, infertility, and psychological disturbances. If left untreated, patients with Cushing’s syndrome may progress to develop diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular complications.

Cushing’s syndrome can lead to the following complications:^[1][2]

• Insulin resistance (especially common in ectopic ACTH production)
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugars)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Osteoporosis
• Cardiovascular complications:
  • Hypertension
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Left ventricular dysfunction
  • Cerebrovascular disease
• Hypercoagulable state as a result of:
  • Activated coagulation cascade
  • Impaired fibrinolysis.
• Major depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Opportunistic infections
• Sepsis

The prognosis for those with Cushing’s syndrome varies depending on the cause of the disease. Most cases of Cushing’s syndrome can be cured. Many individuals with Cushing’s syndrome show significant improvement with treatment, although some may find recovery complicated by various aspects of the causative illness. Some kinds of tumors may recur. Mortality in patients with Cushing’s syndrome is increased even after the apparently successful treatment.^[3]