How common is Cushings?
Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome from taking steroid medication is extremely common because of the widespread use of these medicines in treating many illnesses. Spontaneous Cushing’s Syndrome and Cushing’s disease can occur in children and adults. Pituitary Cushing’s disease generally occurs after puberty with equal frequency in boys and girls. In adults, it has a greater frequency in women than men, with most found at age 25 to 45. The total incidence is about 5 to 25 cases per million people per year. Ectopic ACTH as a cause of Cushing’s Syndrome is more common because of the high rate of lung cancer (about 660 per million per year), but it often goes unrecognized. The incidence increases with age. Adrenal tumors are relatively rare, and cause Cushing’s Syndrome in only 2 people per million per year for both adenomas and carcinomas. Both are also 4 to 5 times more common in women than men. Written by: Paul Margulies, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E. Medical Director of NADF Clinical Associate P
