Which endocrine disorder is associated with thinning of the skin and poor elasticity?

Which endocrine disorder is associated with thinning of the skin and poor elasticity?

• A. Diabetes mellitus
• B. Hypothyroidism
• C. Cushing's syndrome
• D. Addison's disease

Answer: (C)

Excess glucocorticoids weaken skin by breaking down connective tissue and slowing collagen production. In Cushing's syndrome, prolonged cortisol exposure causes catabolism of dermal proteins, reduced fibroblast activity, and diminished collagen synthesis. The result is thinner dermis, less elastic skin, and easy bruising—classic signs of poor skin elasticity. Other endocrine disorders don’t typically cause this combination of thin, inelastic skin; for example, thyroid-related changes tend to be dry or rough skin without the same thinning, and diabetes or Addison’s disease don’t produce the same prominent skin thinning and elasticity loss. So the appearance of thin, poorly elastic skin best fits Cushing's syndrome.

Excess glucocorticoids weaken skin by breaking down connective tissue and slowing collagen production. In Cushing's syndrome, prolonged cortisol exposure causes catabolism of dermal proteins, reduced fibroblast activity, and diminished collagen synthesis. The result is thinner dermis, less elastic skin, and easy bruising—classic signs of poor skin elasticity. Other endocrine disorders don’t typically cause this combination of thin, inelastic skin; for example, thyroid-related changes tend to be dry or rough skin without the same thinning, and diabetes or Addison’s disease don’t produce the same prominent skin thinning and elasticity loss. So the appearance of thin, poorly elastic skin best fits Cushing's syndrome.