The hormonal deficiencies were analyzed at the moment of the diagnosis and in the last check-up, and this analysis found the following proportions: for hypothyroidism, 86.7% versus 92% (p = 0.001); for
hypocortisolism, 62% versus 78% (p = 0.001); for hypogonadism, 67% versus 76% (p = 0.001); for hyposomatotropism, 89% versus 94% (p = 0.002); and for panhypopituitarism, 67.8% versus 78% (p = 0.001) (Table 1).
Rejection sensitivity relates to
hypocortisolism and depressed mood state in young women.
While urinary cortisol excretion has been shown to be helpful in the diagnostic approach to hypercortisolism, significant interindividual variations in both primary and secondary AI do not favour this method in
hypocortisolism [21].
Hypercortisolism and and
hypocortisolism are considered rare diseases, but their incidence seems to be highly underestimated because their onset is often insidious with nonspecific signs and symptoms, and the biochemical picture remains murky.
The circadian cortisol rhythm in FMS seems to be intact, but patients may suffer from
hypocortisolism, which could in turn have consequences regarding the diurnal rhythm of glucocorticoid sensitivity.
By contrast,
hypocortisolism has also been identified in groups that are exposed to chronic stress, including children raised in Romanian orphanages (Gunnar & Vazquez, 2001) and other chronically stressful environments, such as being an ethnic minority (DeSantis et al., 2007).
Patients with untreated hypothyroidism and
hypocortisolism were also excluded.
Also, in one study, it was found that persistent
hypocortisolism necessitating replacement therapy was associated with worse cognitive function [19].
Moreover, in the review by Kakiashvili et al., only studies showing an association between
hypocortisolism and burnout were referred to, although there is a vast amount of literature showing the opposite or no association at all [e.g., 7,18,21,26,27].
Hypocortisolemia in FM may be owing to a primary insufficiency of the adrenal gland or to centrally driven
hypocortisolism (44).
(4) In addition to well-known somatic complications including avascular necrosis (5) and
hypocortisolism, (6) psychiatric morbidities occurred in a substantial proportion of SARS survivors.
The low cortisol and high ACTH levels reflect a state of primary adrenal
hypocortisolism; however, adrenal insufficiency was not manifesting itself as a classical Addison's disease as the raised corticosterone production has weaker glucocorticoid effect.