Long-term glucocorticoid use can lead to which endocrine syndrome?

Long-term glucocorticoid use can lead to which endocrine syndrome?

• A. Adrenal crisis
• B. Hypothyroidism
• C. Cushing's syndrome
• D. Diabetes insipidus

Answer: (C)

Long-term glucocorticoid therapy creates a state of excess cortisol-like activity in the body, leading to iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. This hypercortisolism causes characteristic features such as weight gain with central obesity, a round face, dorsocervical fat pad, thinning skin with easy bruising, high blood pressure, and glucose intolerance or diabetes. The other options involve conditions not driven by prolonged glucocorticoid exposure: adrenal crisis is an acute cortisol deficiency that can occur with withdrawal or stress, while hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus involve thyroid or ADH-related problems, not the effects of long-term steroid use.

Long-term glucocorticoid therapy creates a state of excess cortisol-like activity in the body, leading to iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. This hypercortisolism causes characteristic features such as weight gain with central obesity, a round face, dorsocervical fat pad, thinning skin with easy bruising, high blood pressure, and glucose intolerance or diabetes. The other options involve conditions not driven by prolonged glucocorticoid exposure: adrenal crisis is an acute cortisol deficiency that can occur with withdrawal or stress, while hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus involve thyroid or ADH-related problems, not the effects of long-term steroid use.