Saliva cortisol and male depressive syndrome in a community study. The Sudurnesjamenn study. (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sigurdsson, Bjarni; Palsson, Sigurdur Pall; Johannsson, Magnus; Olafsdottir, Maria; Aevarsson, Olafur
• Is Part Of: Nordic journal of psychiatry. Volume 67:Number 3(2013)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.3109/08039488.2012.704069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-9488

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <italic>Background:</italic> The degree and direction of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) dysfunction to male mental health is unclear. <italic>Aims:</italic> The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between cortisol and male mental health. <italic>Methods:</italic> In this community study, 534 males were screened, using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Gotland Male Depression Scale (GMDS) and a general health questionnaire. Those with signs of depression (<italic>n</italic> = 65) and controls (<italic>n</italic> = 69) were evaluated in a psychiatric examination according to the DSM-IV criteria for depressive disorder (DD). In a sub-sample (<italic>n</italic> = 51) saliva cortisol was measured five times on a single day. <italic>Results:</italic> Evening cortisol was significantly higher in untreated individuals with DD. Significantly higher evening cortisol (at 22 h) correlated also with a history of physical disorder, a history of any mental disorder and MADRS score ≥ 20 (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale). High cortisol, measured as AUC (area under curve), correlated with a high MADRS score but not with any other health variable tested. Morning cortisol did not correlate with any health variable; however, cortisol awakening response (CAR) could not be investigated. The BDI and GMDS scores did not correlate with cortisol measurements. <italic>Conclusion:</italic> Evening saliva cortisol measurement seems most informative, as it correlates with male depressive syndrome in our study but replications with larger studies are needed.</p> </abstract>