ME/CFS Society of WA: The associations between basal salivary cortisol levels and illness symptomatology in ME/CFS

Journal: Journal: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 13,

157-180. (2008).

Authors: Torres-Harding [* 1], S., Sorenson, M. [2], Jason, L.A. [2],

Maher, K. [3], Fletcher, M.A. [3], Reynolds, N [2], & Brown, M. [2]

Affiliations:

[1] Roosevelt University

[2] DePaul University

[3] University of Miami

[*] Correspondence to Susan Torres-Harding, Department of

Psychology, Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL

60605, USA. E-mail: <storresharding@roosevelt.edu>

ABSTRACT

Hypocortisolism has been reported in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS),

with the significance of this finding to disease etiology unclear.

This study examined cortisol levels and their relationships with

symptoms in a group of 108 individuals with CFS.

CFS symptoms examined included fatigue, pain, sleep difficulties,

neurocognitive functioning, and psychiatric status. Alterations in

cortisol levels were examined by calculation of mean daily cortisol,

and temporal variation in cortisol function was examined by means of

a regression slope. Additionally, deviation from expected cortisol

diurnal pattern was determined via clinical judgment.

Results indicated that fatigue and pain were associated with salivary

cortisol levels. In particular, variance from the expected pattern of

cortisol was associated with increased levels of fatigue.

The implications of these findings are discussed.