Basal circadian cortisol secretion in women with temporomandibular disorders.
Muscular temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common stress-related condition showing marked comorbidity with depression and fibromyalgia (FM), both of which are associated with dysregulation of cortisol secretion. We measured cortisol levels in 15 women with well-defined TMD and 15 matched controls by sampling blood at 10-minute intervals over 24 hours in a controlled environment. TMD patients showed markedly increased daytime cortisol levels 30% to 50% higher than those of controls (p = 0.0032) and a one-hour phase delay in the timing of maximum cortisol levels (p = 0.048). Increased activation of the stress hormone axis by conscious pain perception is a likely explanation, but the magnitude of the increase could indicate that pain in the facial region acts as a greater stimulus than pain elsewhere in the body.
Korszun
A
A
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.
Young
E A
EA
Singer
K
K
Carlson
N E
NE
Brown
M B
MB
Crofford
L
L
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D006854:Hydrocortisone