title: Decreased hair cortisol concentrations in generalised anxiety disorder.
abstract: Previous research examining hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) has suggested a general hypercortisolism. These studies have mostly relied on salivary, plasma or urinary assessments, reflecting cortisol secretion over short time periods. The current study utilised the novel method of cortisol assessment in hair to obtain a retrospective index of cortisol secretion over a prolonged period of time. Hair cortisol levels were determined in 15 GAD patients and in 15 age- and gender-matched controls. In addition, participants collected six saliva samples (on awakening, +30 min, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00 h and at bedtime) on two consecutive weekdays for the assessment of the diurnal cortisol profile. Results revealed significantly lower (50-60%) cortisol levels in the first and second 3-cm hair segments of GAD patients compared to those of controls. No significant between-group differences were seen in diurnal cortisol profiles. The hair cortisol findings tentatively suggest that under naturalistic conditions GAD is associated with hypocortisolism. If corroborated by future research, this demonstrates the important qualities of cortisol measurement in hair as an ecologically valid, retrospective index of long-term cortisol secretion and as a marker for psychiatric disorders associated with hypo- or hypercortisolism.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Psychology,Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany. s.steudte@biopsych.tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: Susann
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steudte
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stalder
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dettenborn
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Klumbies
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beesdo-Baum
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirschbaum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone