Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that associations with specific stress systems [hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and growth hormone (GH) axes] would increase as the number of unexplained disorders increased while accounting for the possible confounding effects of psychosocial factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study identified those reporting chronic widespread pain, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic orofacial pain and chronic fatigue. Of the 1315 subjects, disorder status was available for 1180 (89.7%), of whom 766 (64.9%) reported no disorders, 277 (23.5%) reported one and 137 (11.6%) reported two or more. Eighty subjects were sought from each group for assessment of HPA (morning 8:00 a.m. and evening 10:00 p.m. saliva, and post-dexamethasone serum cortisol levels) and GH [serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level] axis function. Validated questionnaires informed current psychological state.
Results: Two hundred twenty-seven subjects participated [79 (35%) with no disorders, 78 (34%) with one disorder and 70 (31%) with two or more disorders]. There were no significant associations (p < 0.05) between individual disorders or an increasing disorder load with any of the neuroendocrine levels measured: saliva/serum cortisol, IGF-1 and dehydroepiandrosterone. Psychosocial factors were independently associated with disorders and with an increasing disorder load: health anxiety p < 0.01, anxiety p < 0.01, depression p < 0.01, life events p = 0.03.
Conclusion: Although previous studies have shown that stress axis function acts to moderate the risk of onset of some of these disorders, the present study shows that the degree of dysfunction is not correlated with a corresponding increasing load of disorders. The uncertainty surrounding the role of these biomarkers in the aetiology of unexplained disorders needs further investigation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 447-454 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | European Journal of Pain |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 7 Feb 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2014 |
Bibliographical note
Funded byArthritis Research Campaign, Chesterfield, UK. Grant Number: 17552
NIHR. Grant Number: CS/2008/08/001
The authors are most grateful to the pain research group at the Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit and staff/patients of the Handforth Health Centre and Handforth Clinic for their help with the study.