title: Methodological considerations in use of the cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio in adolescent populations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio has demonstrated utility in studies of HPA activity and psychopathology. However, use of the cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio in adolescent populations requires additional consideration of differential changes in DHEA(S) and cortisol during the course of puberty. This study examines the relationship between pubertal status and individual cortisol and DHEAS levels as well as with the cortisol/DHEAS ratio.
  
  
  METHODS
  Morning salivary cortisol and urinary DHEAS levels were obtained for 267 young adolescents at three time points, each approximately one year apart. Growth curve modeling and repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess the effect of adrenal development on individual hormone levels and on the total ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pubic hair development was a significant predictor of change over time in DHEAS but not cortisol. Development was also a significant predictor of the cortisol/DHEAS ratio when raw cortisol and DHEAS values were used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that, when DHEAS levels were adjusted to control for pubertal status, the ratio demonstrated stability over time. This finding is in line with the hypothesis that the ratio may tap stable individual differences in HPA functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States. Electronic address: msaczawa@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Saczawa
authors.forename: Julia A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Graber
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brooks-Gunn
authors.forename: Michelle P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Warren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D002648:Child; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010912:Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011627:Puberty / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Adolescent; Cortisol; DHEA; DHEAS; HPA axis; Puberty, Adrenarche; Ratio