ALCOHOL-INDUCED PSEUDO-CUSHINGS SYNDROME

Alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome (APS) refers to a reversible physiologic change of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis resulti ng in hypercortisotism and caused by the consumption of excess alcohol . Other causes of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome include depression and ano rexia nervosa. These latter two syndromes, however, are not associated with the clinical features of excess cortisol secretion. The physical changes we associate with true Cushing's syndrome also occur when alc ohol consumption is severe. The mechanisms that differentiate alcoholi c pseudo-Cushing's syndrome from the other causes of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome are outlined in this short review.