A large prospective study has shown that in over 15% of people with benign adrenal tumors, there is production of clinically relevant levels of serum cortisol which are significantly associated with increased prevalence of hypertension. Additionally, in 5% of people with Cushing syndrome (CS), it is tied to an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes.

Investigators assessed data on 1305 individuals with benign adrenal tumors. They noted that mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) from benign adrenal tumors is a major risk factor for high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, particularly among older women. 

On evaluating the prevalence of hypertension and type 2 diabetes after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, investigators noted that in comparison with people with nonfunctioning adrenal tumors, those having definitive MACS had a significantly higher rate of hypertension by 15% and those with overt CS had a 37% higher rate. Additionally, individuals with overt CS had a significantly higher rate of type 2 diabetes by 62%, in comparison with those with nonfunctioning tumors. The findings are published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine… (Medscape)