Alterations in morning cortisol associated with PTSD in women with breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can be a stressful experience, putting women at risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study investigated morning cortisol levels in newly diagnosed (i.e., within 6 months) breast cancer patients.


METHODS
Structured DSM-IV interviews determined current and past incidence of PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD) in 71 women with Stage 0-3 breast cancer.


RESULTS
Significantly decreased plasma cortisol was found in women meeting current or lifetime criteria for PTSD or past diagnosis of MDD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results reinforce the importance for both psychological and physiological outcomes of a clinical evaluation of both current and past psychiatric status in newly diagnosed cancer patients.
Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA. linda.luecken@asu.edu
Linda J
LJ
Luecken
Barbara
B
Dausch
Vanessa
V
Gulla
Richard
R
Hong
Bruce E
BE
Compas
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
D006854:Hydrocortisone