NCT03364803 · Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Collecting Information About Treatment Results for Patients With Cushing's Syndrome
What this study is about
The purpose of this study is to follow participants with Cushing's syndrome during the course of their routine care and to form a data registry to study long term participant outcomes.
View original scientific description
The purpose of this study is to follow participants with Cushing's syndrome during the course of their routine care and to form a data registry to study long term participant outcomes.
Interventions
OTHER
Cushing's QoL (Quality of Life Questionnaire)
Cushing's QoL is a validated disease specific questionnaire consisting of 12 questions on a five-point Likert scale ranging from always to never. The total score ranges from 12 to 60, with a lower score indicating a greater negative impact on health related QoL. This is converted to a 0-100 scale, 0 indicating the worst and 100 indicating the best QoL
OTHER
Nottingham Health Profile (NHP)
NHP is used in patients to assess general health and quality of life. This assessment consists of 38 yes/no questions that are subdivided into six scales assessing impairments: pain (eight items), energy level (three items), sleep (five items), emotional reactions (nine items), social isolation (five items) and physical mobility (eight items). A higher score indicates more impairment
OTHER
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
HADS consists of 14 items pertaining to anxiety and depression, with each item measured on a four-point scale. Total scores for the anxiety and depression subscales range from 0 to 21. A higher score indicates greater symptomatology
OTHER
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
The PSS predicts both objective biological markers of stress and increased risk of disease in patients with higher stress levels.
OTHER
Barratt's Impulsivity Scale (BIS)
BDI and BIS in combination have demonstrated that depression and/or binge eating may be mediating factors for the outcome of obesity
OTHER
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
BDI and BIS in combination have demonstrated that depression and/or binge eating may be mediating factors for the outcome of obesity
OTHER
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
The STAI provides data to help distinguish between anxiety and depression.
OTHER
State Food Craving Questionnaire-State (FCQ-S)
The FCQ-S consists of 15 items assessing: desire to eat, anticipation of positive reinforcement from eating, anticipation of negative reinforcement (reduction of negative affect) from eating, lack of control over eating, and (physiological) hunger; higher scores reflect stronger food craving. Participants respond, using a Likert-type scale, how much each item is true of them right now.
OTHER
Trait Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T)
Trait food craving will be assessed with the Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T). The FCQ-T consists of 39 items assessing: intentions/plans to eat, anticipation of positive reinforcement from eating, anticipation of negative reinforcement from eating, lack of control over eating, preoccupation with food, (physiological) hunger, emotions preceding or following food cravings or eating, environmental cues that may elicit food cravings, negative emotions including guilt experienced as a consequence of food cravings, and/or indulging such cravings; higher scores again indicate higher trait craving. Individuals are asked to respond, using a Likert-type scale, how much each item is true of them in general.
OTHER
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
A validated visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire will be completed in the fasting state. The VAS consists of 100-mm lines with words anchored at each end describing extreme sensations of hunger, prospective consumption ("How much do you think you can eat?"), fullness, and satisfaction, as well as craving (sweet, salty, fatty or savory). Patients will be asked to make a vertical mark across the line corresponding to their feelings. Quantification will performed by measuring the distance from the left end of the line to the mark.
OTHER
Sensitivity to Reinforcement of Addictive and other Primary Rewards (STRAP-R) food variant
A validated questionnaire that assesses perceived subjective value attributed to expected/hypothetical foods and other primary reinforcers will be administered. This variant of this questionnaire was initially developed by Dr. Goldstein to assess 'liking' and 'wanting' of expected drug rewards for patients with cocaine addiction. The current assessment uses a modified version to assess 'liking' and 'wanting' for food.
Primary outcome measures
Collection of data on Cushing's Syndrome participants before and over time after surgical, medication, and/or radiation therapy.
Time frame: up to 10 years after treatment
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Age 14 or older
- Active or treated overt Cushing's (due to pituitary, ectopic, or adrenal tumor), mild adrenal Cushing's syndrome (MACS), or a silent corticotroph tumor
- The diagnosis of CS or MACS will be made by the PI, based on the below Endocrine Society guidelines, the patient's clinical presentation, and the PI's judgment.
- Diagnostic criteria for ACTH-dependent Cushing's are according to the Endocrine Society and European Society of Endocrinology guidelines and include: Elevated 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC), normal or elevated plasma ACTH, elevated midnight salivary cortisol levels, or classic dexamethasone suppression testing for CD (morning cortisol \> 5 ug/dL after 1 mg overnight of classic 2-day low dose test) and a pituitary lesion on MRI (in the case of pituitary Cushing's). If patient does not have any of these results, pathology of ACTH tumor may confirm presence of disease.
- Diagnostic criterion for MACS is according to the European Society of Endocrinology guidelines: Classic dexamethasone suppression testing for CS (morning cortisol \>1.8 µg/dL after 1 mg overnight) and the presence of an adrenal adenoma.
- Silent corticotroph tumors will be defined by surgical pathology demonstrating positivity for ACTH, in the absence of clinical and biochemical features of Cushing's syndrome.
- In lieu of MRI, surgical, or laboratory reports, physician's assessment note including mention of results will also be used as source for eligibility purposes.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients with a diagnosis of iatrogenic Cushing's.
Where
- Basking Ridge, New Jersey
- Middletown, New Jersey
- Montvale, New Jersey
- Commack, New York
- Harrison, New York
- New York, New York
- Uniondale, New York
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Oct 23, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations