BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a frequently experienced complaint in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) and may be influenced by cortisol levels. AIM: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of severe fatigue in adrenal insufficiency (AI) patients, to assess which dimensions contribute to fatigue severity and to determine the association between salivary cortisol levels and momentary fatigue. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in the outpatient department of a university hospital. Included were 27 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), 26 patients with primary AI (PAI), 24 patients with secondary AI (SAI) and 31 patients with adrenal insufficiency after treatment for Cushing's syndrome (Cush-AI). Measurements included computerised questionnaires to determine fatigue severity and physical and psychosocial contributors. Patients took four saliva samples at home, in which cortisol levels were measured. RESULTS: Severe fatigue was experienced by 41 % of the CAH patients, 42 % of the PAI patients, 50 % of the SAI patients and 42 % of the Cush-AI patients. Psychological distress, functional impairment, sleep disturbance, physical activity, concentration problems and social functioning contributed to the subjective experience of fatigue. Salivary cortisol levels were not correlated with momentary fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of AI patients experience severe fatigue. Salivary cortisol level is not a significant predictor for momentary fatigue in AI patients.
BACKGROUND:Fatigue is a frequently experienced complaint in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) and may be influenced by cortisol levels. AIM: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of severe fatigue in adrenal insufficiency (AI) patients, to assess which dimensions contribute to fatigue severity and to determine the association between salivary cortisol levels and momentary fatigue. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in the outpatient department of a university hospital. Included were 27 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), 26 patients with primary AI (PAI), 24 patients with secondary AI (SAI) and 31 patients with adrenal insufficiency after treatment for Cushing's syndrome (Cush-AI). Measurements included computerised questionnaires to determine fatigue severity and physical and psychosocial contributors. Patients took four saliva samples at home, in which cortisol levels were measured. RESULTS: Severe fatigue was experienced by 41 % of the CAH patients, 42 % of the PAI patients, 50 % of the SAI patients and 42 % of the Cush-AI patients. Psychological distress, functional impairment, sleep disturbance, physical activity, concentration problems and social functioning contributed to the subjective experience of fatigue. Salivary cortisol levels were not correlated with momentary fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of AI patients experience severe fatigue. Salivary cortisol level is not a significant predictor for momentary fatigue in AI patients.
Authors: Nicole Reisch; Stefanie Hahner; Benjamin Bleicken; Linda Flade; Francesco Pedrosa Gil; Melanie Loeffler; Manfred Ventz; Andreas Hinz; Felix Beuschlein; Bruno Allolio; Martin Reincke; Marcus Quinkler Journal: Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 3.478
Authors: Nike M M L Stikkelbroeck; Lies H Hoefsloot; Ilse J de Wijs; Barto J Otten; Ad R M M Hermus; Erik A Sistermans Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2003-08 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: M F M Gielissen; A V M Schattenberg; C A H H V M Verhagen; M J Rinkes; M E J Bremmers; G Bleijenberg Journal: Bone Marrow Transplant Date: 2007-03-19 Impact factor: 5.483
Authors: Henrik Oster; Etienne Challet; Volker Ott; Emanuela Arvat; E Ronald de Kloet; Derk-Jan Dijk; Stafford Lightman; Alexandros Vgontzas; Eve Van Cauter Journal: Endocr Rev Date: 2017-02-01 Impact factor: 19.871
Authors: A Sansone; S Kliesch; M Dugas; R Sandhowe-Klaverkamp; A M Isidori; S Schlatt; M Zitzmann Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2021-04-03 Impact factor: 4.256