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BACKGROUND: Impairments in both basal activity and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) have been reported in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS; neurasthenia). We sought to replicate these findings and examined basal activity of the HPA in a carefully selected sample of patients with CFS. METHODS: Basal activity of the HPA was assessed using salivary and urinary cortisol collection over a 24-hour period in 22 (12 male; 10 female) patients meeting criteria for CFS and appropriate controls. RESULTS: Salivary and urinary cortisol measures did not differ between CFS patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Basal activity of the HPA was not reduced in CFS patients. Reasons for the failure to replicate previous findings are discussed.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/S0006-3223(97)00404-6

Type

Journal article

Journal

Biol Psychiatry

Publication Date

01/02/1998

Volume

43

Pages

236 - 237

Keywords

Adult, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Male, Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Radioimmunoassay, Saliva