Slocumb Syndrome

Classification according to ICD-10
E27.3	Drug- induced adrenal insufficiency
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

The Slocumb syndrome is named after the rheumatologist Charles H. Slocumb from Rochester / Minnesota. It describes the cortisol withdrawal syndrome, also called steroid pseudorheumatism.

If a patient receives the steroid hormone cortisol (a glucocorticoid) in high doses over a long period of time, the human's own natural production site - the adrenal cortex - is regressed. This is caused by the fact that the own production of glucocorticoids is inhibited, since the body is supplied with sufficient cortisol via medication. If the drug is suddenly discontinued, the adrenal cortex cannot meet the demand for glucocorticoids. The level of glucocorticoids in the blood decreases, which causes withdrawal symptoms.

• increased mental instability (mood swings, emotional instability)
• Muscle pain (mainly in the thighs)
• Hyperreflexia
• Temperature fluctuations
• increased sedimentation rate
• Lupus erythematosus -like symptoms
• Panarteritis
• phlebitis

It is therefore necessary to the drug after a long glucocorticoid when discontinuing .

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !