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Longitudinal course of salivary cortisol in post‐traumatic stress disorder
Author(s) -
Kellner Michael,
Yehuda Rachel,
Arlt Josef,
Wiedemann Klaus
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2002.01012.x
Subject(s) - dexamethasone , hydrocortisone , medicine , basal (medicine) , major depressive disorder , traumatic stress , psychology , chronic stress , longitudinal study , morning , endocrinology , psychiatry , pathology , amygdala , insulin
Objective: In chronic post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) lowered cortisol secretion and hypersuppression to dexamethasone has been described repeatedly. However, so far no longitudinal data on the natural course or on the effect of therapy are available. Method: We measured basal and post‐dexamethasone morning salivary cortisol in a drug‐free patient with chronic PTSD (DSM‐IV) monthly for nearly 2 years and assessed PTSD and depressive symptoms. Results: Salivary cortisol decreased dramatically 3 months after the traumatic event and in the further course showed an inverse relation to fluctuating but gradually improving PTSD symptoms. Post‐dexamethasone cortisol was suppressed below the detection limit early after trauma and rose again more than 1 year post‐trauma. Conclusion: Both the potential renormalization of low cortisol levels in improving chronic PTSD and the putative vulnerability to develop PTSD in subjects with increased dexamethasone suppression need further research.