title: Evening not morning plasma cortisol level is higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study was to assess the morning and evening cortisol plasma levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  95 patients gave their informed consent to participate in the study and were divided into 2 groups. Group A consisted of 40 PCOS patients and group B consisted of 55 women without features of PCOS. Between day 5 and 8 of the menstrual cycle, morning (7 am), fasting blood samples were taken for the assessment of luteinizng hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, cortisol, prolactin, thyreotropin (TSH), testosterone and dehydroepeiandrosterone (DHEAS). Evening (5 pm) blood samples were also taken for the evaluation of plasma cortisol level
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in mean age, body mass index (BMI), FSH, SHBG, PRL, estradiol and TSH levels between group A and group B. Mean plasma LH level was higher in group A compared to group B (10.7 ± 6.8 IU/l vs 6.6 ± 4.5 LU/l, p < 0.02). Mean plasma testosterone and DHEAS levels were also higher in PCOS patients (3.8 ± 0.6 nmol/l vs 1.63 ± 0.6 nmol/l; 427.7 ± 162.9 vs 236.6 ± 97.8 respectively, p < 0.001). Mean evening plasma cortisol level was higher in PCOS patients (11.8 ± 4.1 ug/dl vs 4.7 ± 1.3 ug/dl, p < 0.02). Mean morning plasma cortisol levels did not differ between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCOS women showed the increased evening plasma cortisol level with impacted diurnal secretion rate.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiałka
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ociepka
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Milewicz
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krzyczkowska-Sendrakowska
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gosztyła
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stochmal
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lurzyńska
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bałajewicz-Nowak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D006854:Hydrocortisone