A Scoping Review of Self-Medication in Exogenous Cushing Syndrome: The Role of Social Determinants of Health in the Case Report Literature
Authors' conclusion
The presence of SDoH in the case report literature on E-CS due to self-medication is weak. It is necessary to move away from solely disease-focused approaches to those that incorporate SDoH. Peer reviewers and journal editors may help advance change by requesting that case reports/series on self-medication inform on SDoH.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with exogenous Cushing syndrome (E-CS) due to self-medication with over-the-counter or other steroid-containing products, case report literature
- Participants
- 36 publications
- Outcome
- Contribution of social determinants of health (SDoH) to E-CS due to self-treatment in the case report literature
Methodological detailsPRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews, case reports or case series 1998–2024, English-language, adults only
- PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews
- Case reports or case series 1998–2024
- English-language, adults only
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
SDoH in case reports of E-CS due to self-medication
Reports in which social determinants of health (SDoH) were discussed
5 of 36
Reports in which SDoH were mentioned
3
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Products involved
- US reports involving an over-the-counter product with undisclosed steroid content marketed for joint disease
- 7 of 8
- International case reports/series involving self-medication with labeled pharmaceutical products
- 19 of 28
Peer review of publishing journals
- All reports except 2 in journals with prepublication peer review
Safety
Clinical complications
- Complications were consistently identified
Original publication
A Scoping Review of Self-Medication in Exogenous Cushing Syndrome: The Role of Social Determinants of Health in the Case Report Literature. Endocr Pract. Published 2 July 2025. doi:10.
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