What condition can result from prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol?

Prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol is typically associated with Cushing's syndrome. This condition arises when there is an excessive amount of cortisol in the body, which may result from various factors, including long-term use of corticosteroid medications or tumors in the adrenal glands or pituitary gland that cause overproduction of this hormone.

Cushing's syndrome presents with a range of symptoms such as obesity, particularly in the abdominal area, moon facies, thinning skin, and easy bruising. The impact of high cortisol levels also extends to metabolic disturbances, such as insulin resistance, contributing to the potential development of diabetes mellitus over time. However, it is the excess cortisol itself that defines Cushing’s syndrome, not simply the metabolic outcomes that may arise.

The other conditions listed, such as hypertrophy, Addison's disease, and diabetes mellitus, do not result directly from the prolonged high levels of cortisol in the same way that Cushing's syndrome does. Hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of an organ or tissue, Addison's disease is characterized by insufficient cortisol production, and while diabetes mellitus can be a secondary effect of prolonged cortisol exposure, it does not specifically arise from it as a primary condition.