Cortisol and post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has inconsistently been associated with lower levels of cortisol.


OBJECTIVE
To compare basal cortisol levels in adults with current PTSD and in people without psychiatric disorder.


METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis. Standardised mean differences (SMD) in basal cortisol levels were calculated and random-effects models using inverse variance weighting were applied.


RESULTS
Across 37 studies, 828 people with PTSD and 800 controls did not differ in cortisol levels (pooled SMD=-0.12, 95% CI=-0.32 to 0.080). Subgroup analyses revealed that studies assessing plasma or serum showed significantly lower levels in people with PTSD than in controls not exposed to trauma. Lower levels were also found in people with PTSD when females were included, in studies on physical or sexual abuse, and in afternoon samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Low cortisol levels in PTSD are only found under certain conditions. Future research should elucidate whether low cortisol is related to gender or abuse and depends on the measurement methods used.
Meewisse
Marie-Louise
ML
Center for Psychological Trauma, Academic Medical Center de Meren, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. M.L.Meewisse@amc.uva.nl
Reitsma
Johannes B
JB
de Vries
Giel-Jan
GJ
Gersons
Berthold P R
BP
Olff
Miranda
M
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D006854:Hydrocortisone