Diurnal cortisol patterns and psychiatric symptoms in pregnancy: short-term longitudinal study.
Alteration in the HPA axis is a robust biomarker of anxiety and depression in adults, but questions remain about this association in pregnancy. We examined the longitudinal links between diurnal cortisol and mood symptoms from self-report questionnaire and diagnostic interview in an ethnically diverse, psychosocially at-risk sample of 101 women at mid-pregnancy and early third trimester. There were modest but significant associations between depression and elevated cortisol, indexed by a decreased morning level and diminished diurnal decline; the effects were strongest for diagnostic data from clinical interview. These effects were independent of socio-demographic factors and sleep disturbance. Associations with anxiety and trauma were generally non-significant. These findings extend prior work by showing that significant mood symptoms in pregnancy are associated with altered diurnal cortisol in pregnancy, which may have implications for maternal and child health.
University of Rochester Medical Center, United States. Electronic address: tom_oconnor@urmc.rochester.edu.
Thomas G
TG
O'Connor
University of Rochester Medical Center, United States.
Wan
W
Tang
University of Rochester Medical Center, United States.
Michelle A
MA
Gilchrist
University of Rochester Medical Center, United States.
Jan A
JA
Moynihan
University of Rochester Medical Center, United States.
Eva K
EK
Pressman
University of Rochester Medical Center, United States.
Emma Robertson
ER
Blackmore
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D006854:Hydrocortisone
Anxiety; Cortisol; Depression; HPA axis; Pregnancy