Over two thirds of patients with Cushing's disease suffer from hypertension. An analysis of 155 patients with Cushing's syndrome was undertaken to study its incidence and effects, and the biological profile and prognosis of the patients. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was given particular attention in 5 patients. Serum angiotensin was raised and a positive correlation was observed with the serum cortisol. Serum aldosterone did not respond as normal to the usual stimuli and the normal plasma renin activity did not vary during the 24 hour period. The physiopathogenesis of hypertension in Cushing's disease is still not fully understood, especially with regard to the mode of action of the hypercortisolism, the essential factor. A mineralocorticoid type of behaviour, especially in the severe forms, may be associated with that of the ACTH-dependent precursors, a permissive action on certain pressor substances, the increase in secretion of angiotensin in parallel to that of the cortisol and finally, the increase in the risk factors probably play a role. The outcome of the hypertension after specific treatment of Cushing's disease is usually favourable. However, hypertension persists in a third of cases.
To examine the cost-effectiveness of therapeutic strategies for patients with toxic thyroid adenoma.A decision analytic model was used to examine strategies, including thyroid lobectomy after a 3-month course of antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine (RAI), and lifelong ATDs followed by either RAI (ATD-RAI) or surgery (ATD-surgery) in patients suffering severe drug reactions.Outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life years. Data on the prevalence of co-incident thyroid cancer, complications and treatment efficacies were derived from a systematic review of the literature (1966-2000). Costs were examined from the health care system perspective. Costs and effectiveness were examined at their present values. Discounting (3% per year), variations of major cost components, and every variable for which disagreements exist among studies or expert opinion were examined by sensitivity analyses.For a 40-year-old woman, surgery was both the most effective and the least costly strategy (Euro 1391),while ATD-RAI cost the most (Euro 5760). RAI was more effective than surgery if surgical mortality exceeded 0.6% (base-case 0.001%). RAI become less costly for women of more than 72 years (more than 66 in discounted analyses). For women of 85, ATD-RAI may be more effective than RAI and have an inexpensive marginal cost-effectiveness ratio (Euro 4975) if lifelong follow-up results in no decrement in quality of life.Age, surgical mortality, therapeutic costs and patient preference must all be considered in choosing an appropriate therapy.
