Cortisol in sickle cell disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Abstract: Cortisol plays a critical role in the biological link between psychosocial stress and health outcomes; however, the methods for assessing cortisol and the biopsychosocial correlates of this stress hormone among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are not well developed. This review aimed to systematically evaluate the current literature for cortisol measurement and methodology among individuals with SCD and synthesize findings of biopsychosocial correlates in this population. A systematic search of medical databases was conducted, resulting in 20 studies meeting inclusion criteria, involving 710 participants with SCD and 454 control participants without SCD. Cortisol was primarily measured using serum (k = 10) and plasma (k = 8), and few studies used salivary (k = 1) or hair (k = 1) measurements. Most studies investigated cortisol in comparison with a control group (k = 14). Qualitative findings were inconsistent, and quantitative meta-analytic data (k = 12) imply no significant difference in cortisol in SCD participants relative to healthy controls (serum Hedges g = -1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.99 to 0.97; plasma Hedges g = -0.72; 95% CI, -1.56 to 0.13). Additionally, studies examined cortisol in comparison with adrenal standards (k = 5), responses to adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation (k = 7), and correlations with vaso-occlusive crises (k = 3) and disease severity (k = 3). Few studies explored medication (k = 2) or behavioral correlates (k…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 710 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut-Brain Homeostasis
- Rationale for a Multi-Factorial Approach for the Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease and MCI: A Review
- Prioritized Research for the Prevention, Treatment, and Reversal of Chronic Disease: Recommendations From the Lifestyle Medicine Research Summit
- Relationship between sleep disorders and gut dysbiosis: what affects what?
- The role of CLOCK gene in psychiatric disorders: Evidence from human and animal research
- Genetic, Transcriptome, Proteomic, and Epidemiological Evidence for Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Polymicrobial Brain Invasion as Determinant Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.