Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Acne, stria and decreased skin elasticity are dermatological features of Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Although it is known that collagen mass in skin is decreased in CS and glucocorticoids play a role in acneiform skin lesions, the dermatological findings of CS has not previously been measured by reliable methods.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to measure skin elasticity, capacitance, sebum content, pH and temperature in CS before and after 12 months of treatment.

Methods: Twenty patients with CS and 11 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Skin properties were measured on dorsum of both hands by Cutameter, Corneometer CM825, Sebumeter SM810, Phmeter PH900 as non-invasive reliable measuring methods. Patients were treated for CS with surgery and they were reevaluated 12 months after.

Results: The sebum content, temperature and capacitance of the skin were found to be significantly decreased in patients with CS compared to healthy controls on dorsum of both hands at baseline. The skin capacitance in CS was found to be similar to healthy controls after treatment, however the increment was not found to be significant compared to baseline. The sebum and temperature of the skin did not show significant changes according to baseline and was still significantly lower than healthy controls. Although statistically not significant, the elasticity of the skin was lower in CS than in the controls. The elasticity of the skin was found to be significantly increased a year after treatment. There was no correlation of skin elasticity, capacitance, temperature and sebum content of the skin with morning or midnight cortisol, urinary free cortisol or ACTH levels at baseline.

Conclusion: This study revealed a hypothermic skin surface with decreased sebum secretion and capacitance and mildly decreased skin elasticity in CS. The decreased elasticity and capacitance of the skin may increase after treatment of CS.