April - June 2020, Volume 16, Issue 2

Koracevic G, Stojanovic M, Petrovic S, Simic D, Sakac D, Vlajkovic M, Stevic M, Kocic M, Dordevic M, Koracevic M

Cushing’s Syndrome, a Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolism is a Candidate for Guidelines

Acta Endo (Buc) 2020, 16 (2): 123-128
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2020.123

Objectives. The present paper aims to review important contemporary information about VTE risk in endogenous and exogenous CS, as a substantial discrepancy exists between the results of a recent meta-analysis confirming the increased risk for VTE and the absence of CS in VTE guidelines. Methods. An extensive search of relevant databases (e.g. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus) was performed in order to establish the interconnectedness of the following terms: Cushing’s syndrome, venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism. Results. The analysis demonstrated that patients with CS have about ten times the risk for VTE, particularly during the first year following the diagnosis of CS. Oral glucocorticoid users (with iatrogenic CS) have a 3-fold increase in risk of VTE in comparison with non-users. The most recent 2019 meta-analysis encompassed 7142 patients with endogenous CS (including Cushing’s disease) undergoing transsphenoidal surgery or adrenalectomy, and their risk of unprovoked VTE was almost 18 times higher in comparison with a healthy population. Conclusion. Over the past 50 years considerable evidence of increased VTE risk in CS has been accumulated. It pertains to both endogenous and exogenous type of CS and has been confirmed in the vast majority, if not all the available studies, including meta-analyses. Nevertheless, official CS guidelines make no mention of CS as a VTE risk factor, even though it is important that not only physicians who treat CS, but also physicians who manage patients with suspected VTE be aware of increased VTE risk.

Keywords: Cushing’s syndrome, venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, guidelines.

Correspondence: Milan Ðordevic MD, Health Centre Jagodina, Emergency Medical Service, Vojvode Tankosica 2. prilaz, Broj 17, Niš-Medijana, Niš, 18000, Serbia, E-mail: milan_mdj@hotmail.com