BACKGROUND: Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare endocrine disorder associated with 
increased serum levels of cortisol secreted due to an underlying tumour in 
pituitary. Psychiatric disturbances like depression, psychosis, mania along with 
body image disturbances are seen in patients of CD. Hence, we undertook this 
research to find the prevalence and type of psychiatric disorders, body image 
disturbances, and self-esteem in patients of CD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients diagnosed as CD as per the standard 
criteria by the endocrinologist were recruited after informed consent and ethics 
approval. Proforma with demographic details, Structured Clinical Interview for 
DSM-IV, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Body 
Image Concern Inventory were used for assessment of the aims.
RESULTS: 65% patients had psychopathology with 21% patients having major 
depressive disorder, 62% patients had mild, and 28% had moderate depression on 
BDI. 50% patients had body image disturbances and 60% had low self-esteem. 
Depression was found to have a negative correlation with self-esteem and 
positive correlation with body image disturbances.
CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of psychopathology is seen in patients of CD which 
may often go undetected. Liaison with the endocrinologist would also work 
towards improving the issues of body image disturbances and self-esteem for 
better prognosis for the patient.