Question: Is there any correlation between Cushing’s Disease and Systemic Lupus?

Answer: There is no apparent correlation between development of Cushing’s disease and systemic lupus. However, because patients with systemic lupus improve with steroids, the onset of Cushing’s disease may actually decrease the manifestations of lupus. Conversely, if the Cushing’s disease is treated and cortisol levels are returned to normal the manifestations of lupus could flare up. The same relationship exists with a variety of other diseases in which steroids have a positive anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

By David Schteingart MD (Spring, 2006)