A two ‐component model of hair cortisol concentration in fibromyalgia: Independent effects of pain chronicity and severity

ConclusionsThese results support the existence of a dysfunction in the regulation of the HPA axis in FM and its possible contribution to chronic pain development.SignificanceThis is the first study to assess hair cortisol concentrations in a specific sample of patients with fibromyalgia (FM). This method is especially useful for the assessment of long-term regular cortisol excretion. Results showed a two-component model for explaining cortisol levels: disease chronicity, with a negative effect, and symptom severity, with a positive effect. This suggests that severe pain/stress evokes higher cortisol levels at earlier stages of FM, while in the longer term a decrease in cortisol levels was observed.
Source: European Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research