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Urinary free Cortisol excretion shortly after ischaemic stroke
Author(s) -
OLSSON Dr.T.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.625
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1365-2796
pISSN - 0954-6820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1990.tb00213.x
Subject(s) - medicine , excretion , endocrinology , urine , hydrocortisone , stroke (engine) , catecholamine , urinary system , mechanical engineering , engineering
. The Cortisol axis and catecholamine excretion were studied in 20 patients within the first week after acute ischaemic stroke. Urine free Cortisol and plasma Cortisol levels after dexamethasone were significantly higher in stroke patients than in 80‐year‐old volunteers ( n = 32; P = 0.03 and P = 0.003, respectively). Catecholamine excretion was found to be significantly correlated with urine Cortisol concentration ( r = 0.54, P < 0.05) and limb paresis ( r = 0.52, P < 0.05). In a multiple regression analysis, urine Cortisol values were shown to be positively associated with limb paresis ( P = 0.003), disorientation ( P = 0.03) and body temperature ( P = 0.03). High Cortisol excretion was associated with a poorer functional outcome in a discriminant analysis ( P = 0.001). Thus acute ischaemic stroke is associated with an increased activity in the Cortisol axis. This may have a number of negative effects on organ functioning, and is a predictor of a poorer functional outcome.