OR18-05 Sleep Disturbances In Patients With Cushing Syndrome and Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract Disclosure: S. Sharma Sharma: None. J. Saini: None. S.R. Chacko: None. S. Ahmadian: None. V. Fell: None. S.J. Achenbach: None. E.J. Atkinson: None. W.F. Young: None. I. Bancos: None. Context: The impact of active hypercortisolism on sleep is incompletely characterized. Several studies report impaired sleep in patients with Cushing syndrome (CS). Patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) demonstrate an abnormal circadian cortisol secretion with mild nocturnal hypercortisolism that could also impact sleep. Objectives: To characterize sleep abnormalities and to identify factors associated with impaired sleep in patients with CS and MACS. Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study of prospectively enrolled adults with active CS and MACS evaluated between August 31, 2020, and December 2, 2024. Clinical and biochemical severity scores for hypercortisolism were calculated. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using 1) Short Form-36 (SF-36), physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries, and 2) Cushing QOL survey, with psychosocial and physical domains. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a global score of ≥5 was considered abnormal. Pearson correlations and linear regression models were used to explore associations with PSQI scores. Results: In 285 patients (226 [79%] women, 259 [91%] White, median age of 54 [IQR 44-64] years), MACS was diagnosed in 147 (52%) and CS in 138 (48%). Patients reported abnormal sleep (median PSQI of 12 (IQR 8-16) in CS vs 10 (IQR 7-15) in MACS (P=0.086). Most prevalent sleep abnormalities included report of “fairly bad” or “very bad” overall sleep quality (73% in CS and 54% in MACS) and report of severe day dysfunction due to sleepiness (70% in CS and 56% in MACS). In an age-, sex- and BMI- adjusted univariable analysis of patients with hypercortisolism, higher clinical hypercortisolism severity score (r=0.13, P=0.024) and worse QoL, as measured by SF-36 and Cushing QoL (P=<0.001 for all), were associated with higher PSQI scores, a reflection of poor sleep. In a multivariable analysis of patients with hypercortisolism, we found that younger age (est -0.08, P=<0.001), female sex (est 1.95, P=0.004), lower BMI (est -0.07, P=0.041), and higher clinical severity score (est 0.12, P=0.024) were associated with higher PSQI scores, indicating impaired sleep. In a multivariable analysis of only patients with MACS, female sex (est 2.17, P=0.012), lower BMI (est -0.12, P=0.017), and higher clinical severity score (est 0.24, P=0.003), but not age were associated with higher PSQI scores, indicating impaired sleep. In patients with CS, only younger age (est -0.12, P=<0.001), but not other variables were associated with higher PSQI scores. Conclusion: We found that patients with MACS have impaired sleep, possibly due to nocturnal hypercortisolism. In patients with MACS, but not CS, clinical hypercortisolism severity score was associated with more impaired sleep. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Authors
- Sarina Ahmadian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8711-1453)
- Irina Bancos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9332-2524)
- Vanessa Fell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4583-8694)
- Elizabeth J. Atkinson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1191-3775)
- Sara J. Achenbach
- Jasmine Saini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7156-6229)
- Shubhangi Sharma Sharma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3474-0704)
- William F. Young
- Shireen Renate Chacko
Institutions
- Yale University (US)
- Mayo Clinic in Arizona (US)
- Mayo Clinic in Florida (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of the Endocrine Society
- Published
- 2025-10-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvaf149.277
- Primary Topic
- Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00