Which syndrome results from chronic excessive cortisol production by the adrenal cortex?

• A. Cushing syndrome
• B. Addison disease
• C. Conn syndrome
• D. Pheochromocytoma

Answer: (A)

Chronic excessive cortisol production by the adrenal cortex produces Cushing syndrome. The persistent overabundance of cortisol drives metabolic and connective-tissue changes that manifest as central obesity with a rounded face, increased fat around the neck and upper back (buffalo hump), thinning of the skin with easy bruising and purple striae, proximal muscle weakness, glucose intolerance or diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis. These features reflect cortisol’s effects on fat distribution, protein breakdown, glucose metabolism, and vascular tone. Addison disease is cortisol deficiency, not excess; Conn syndrome involves excess aldosterone with hypertension and hypokalemia but not cortisol excess; pheochromocytoma causes symptoms from excess catecholamines, not cortisol.