title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124-2070, USA. mantoni@umiami.ir.miami.edu
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Cruess
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Antoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ironson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schneiderman
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006854:Hydrocortisone