Basal activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome (neurasthenia).

Journal article

BACKGROUND: Impairments in both basal activity and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) have been reported in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS; neurasthenia). We sought to replicate these findings and examined basal activity of the HPA in a carefully selected sample of patients with CFS. METHODS: Basal activity of the HPA was assessed using salivary and urinary cortisol collection over a 24-hour period in 22 (12 male; 10 female) patients meeting criteria for CFS and appropriate controls. RESULTS: Salivary and urinary cortisol measures did not differ between CFS patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Basal activity of the HPA was not reduced in CFS patients. Reasons for the failure to replicate previous findings are discussed.

Authors: Young, A; Sharpe, M; Clements, A; Dowling, B; Hawton, K

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Biological psychiatry
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 236-237
• Publication date: 1998-02-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(97)00404-6
• EISSN: 1873-2402
• ISSN: 0006-3223
• Language: English
• Keywords: Saliva; Female; Adult; Male; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests; Radioimmunoassay; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Hydrocortisone; Humans; Pituitary-Adrenal System