Predictors of cortisol and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol responses in the acute aftermath of rape.
BACKGROUND
Prospective studies of trauma survivors can provide information about the relationship between rape characteristics and the development of subsequent symptoms.


METHODS
The present study examined the relationship of prior assault, rape severity, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following rape, and subsequent PTSD diagnosis, to the acute cortisol and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) response to this traumatic event in 20 women.


RESULTS
Women with a history of prior physical or sexual assault showed a significantly attenuated cortisol response to the acute stress of rape compared to women without such a history. MHPG appeared to be associated with injury-related rape characteristics, and symptoms of active avoidance, but not prior history. PTSD status at the 3-month follow-up was predicted by both a prior history of assault and high injury rape, but was not directly predicted by either cortisol or MHPG levels. MHPG and cortisol were not correlated in the sample as a whole, but were correlated among individuals who did not subsequently develop PTSD (p = .04)


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that different neuroendocrine systems may mediate different components of the response to traumatic stress.
Yehuda
R
R
Psychiatry Department, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Bronx VA Medical center, New York 10468, USA.
Resnick
H S
HS
Schmeidler
J
J
Yang
R K
RK
Pitman
R K
RK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology
D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006854:Hydrocortisone