Incidence of Venous Thromboembolic Events in Patients With Endogenous Cushing Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Hypercortisolemia is a hypercoagulable state associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE). The reported incidence of VTE in patients with ACTH-dependent or independent Cushing Syndrome (CS) is variable, ranging from 3 to 14%. Our aim was to assess the incidence of clinically significant VTE among patients with endogenous CS and to identify risk factors for the development of VTE.

Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective longitudinal study of adult patients diagnosed with endogenous CS between 2010 and 2020. Patients with a known prothrombotic disease (e.g. Factor V Leiden), insufficient data, or non-neoplastic hypercortisolism were excluded. Data collected included patient demographics, presenting symptoms, biochemical and radiological workup, treatment details, and incidence of clinically significant VTE.

Results: A total of 114 patients (mean age of 45.55 ± 14.78 years, 79.8% women) followed for mean of 3.26 ± 2.9 years were included. Of the 114 patients, 58 (50.9%) had Cushing disease (CD), 40 (35.1%) had CS due to adrenal adenoma/hyperplasia, 6 (3.5%) had adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), and 10 (8.8%) had ectopic Cushing syndrome (eCS). The overall incidence of VTE at any time point was 14/114 (12.3%); 11 (79%) VTEs were associated with presence of an additional VTE risk factor (8 surgery and 3 malignancy). Prior to any intervention for CS, 3 of 114 (2.6%) patients had a VTE. Surgery for CS (adrenalectomy, transsphenoidal surgery, tumor resection) was performed in 97 patients (85.1%) whereas 17 were treated medically (n=10), died before treatment (n=1) or observed (n=6). VTE occurred in 2 patients receiving medical therapy for CS. The post-operative incidence of VTE was 9 (9.3%; 4 in CD, 1 in adrenal CS, 3 in ACC, and 1 in eCS). VTE occurred ≤ 3-month post-operative in 4 patients (44.4%). Among the 5 patients in whom VTE occurred >3 months post-operative, 3 had recurrent metastatic ACC with hypercortisolemia and 2 were in remission (1 with CS and 1 with eCS). The median time from surgery to VTE occurrence was 315 days (8-1006). Compared to those who did not develop VTE, those who developed VTE had higher mean 24-hour urine free cortisol (4663.6 vs 558.21 mcg/dL; n = 100, P < 0.0001) and mean 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (36.3 vs 11.8 mcg/dL; n = 69, P = 0.0003), but similar mean late-night salivary cortisol (0.591 vs 0.790 ng/dL, n = 84, P = 0.71) at diagnosis of CS.

Discussion: Among those with CS, the overall incidence of VTE was 12.3% and the majority of VTE were provoked (surgery, malignancy). Moreover, VTE was more likely in those with higher UFC and 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test in our cohort. This suggests that in patients with CS who have an active malignancy, severe CS or those undergoing a surgical procedure may be at increased risk of VTE. Future studies should investigate the optimal type and duration of the VTE prophylaxis.