Cognitive-behavioral stress management buffers decreases in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and increases in the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio and reduces mood disturbance and perceived stress among HIV-seropositive men.
This study examined the effects of a 10-week cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels and the ratio of cortisol to DHEA-S (cortisol/DHEA-S), potential surrogate adrenal markers of HIV disease progression, in relation to alterations in mood and distress. HIV-seropositive men were randomized to either a group-based CBSM intervention (n = 43) or to a wait-list control group (n = 24), with both hormonal and distress measures assessed just prior to and immediately following the 10-week period. Results showed that CBSM buffers decreases in DHEA-S and increases in the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio. Further examination also revealed that changes in the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio were significantly and positively related to changes in total mood disturbance and perceived stress over time. These findings demonstrate that a short-term CBSM intervention can buffer against decrements in DHEA-S and increments in the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio among symptomatic, HIV-positive men, and that alterations in the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio move in concert with changes in mood and distress observed during CBSM.
Cruess
D G
DG
Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124-2070, USA. mantoni@umiami.ir.miami.edu
Antoni
M H
MH
Kumar
M
M
Ironson
G
G
McCabe
P
P
Fernandez
J B
JB
Fletcher
M
M
Schneiderman
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012803:Sick Role
D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006854:Hydrocortisone