Which symptom is associated with Cushing's syndrome that might occur with corticosteroid therapy?

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The presence of a buffalo hump is indeed a well-documented symptom associated with Cushing's syndrome, which can occur as a result of excessive corticosteroid therapy. Cushing's syndrome is characterized by an overproduction of cortisol or the administration of corticosteroids that leads to a variety of physical changes. The accumulation of fat at the base of the neck, forming what is commonly referred to as a buffalo hump, is one of the hallmark features.

This symptom results from the endocrine changes induced by elevated cortisol levels, which lead to fat redistribution in the body. In individuals receiving glucocorticoid therapy, such redistribution contributes to the characteristic appearance often seen in Cushing's syndrome, including facial changes, increased abdominal fat, and the development of the buffalo hump.

The other symptoms listed do not typically manifest in Cushing's syndrome related to corticosteroid therapy. Weight loss, for example, is generally associated with conditions that cause catabolism rather than the anabolism seen with elevated cortisol. Decreased thirst and cold intolerance are also not characteristic features of Cushing's syndrome and are more aligned with other endocrine disorders or conditions. Thus, the buffalo hump is a distinctive and recognizable symptom that connects directly to Cushing's syndrome outcomes from corticosteroid use.

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