Hormonal alterations in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with alterations in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and cardiovascular autonomic nervous activity, suggesting a central dysregulation. This study explored differences among adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome patients and healthy controls regarding antidiuretic hormone, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system, sex hormones and cardiac peptides.


METHODS
We included a consecutive sample of 67 adolescents aged 12-18 years with chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed according to a thorough and standardized set of investigations, and a volunteer sample of 55 healthy control subjects of equal gender and age distribution. Hormones were assayed with standard laboratory methods.


RESULTS
Among patients, plasma antidiuretic hormone was significantly decreased and serum osmolality and plasma renin activity were significantly increased (p < or = 0.001). Serum concentration of aldosterone, cortisol, NT-proBNP and sex hormones were not significantly different in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents is associated with alterations in hormonal systems controlling osmolality and blood volume, possibly supporting a theory of central dysregulation.
Wyller
Vegard Bruun
VB
.Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Evang
Johan Arild
JA
.Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Godang
Kristin
K
.Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Solhjell
Kari K
KK
.Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Bollerslev
Jens
J
.Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
D000293:Adolescent; D001810:Blood Volume; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000097:blood*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D014667:Vasopressins; D012083:Renin