Sex Differences in Basal Cortisol Levels Across Body Fluid Compartments in a Cross-sectional Study of Healthy Adults
Abstract
Context
Many studies have moved toward saliva and peripheral blood sampling for studying cortisol, even in relation to disorders of the brain. However, the degree to which peripheral cortisol reflects central cortisol levels has yet to be comprehensively described. Data describing the effect that biological characteristics such as age and sex have on cortisol levels across compartments is also limited.
Objective
To assess the relationships of cortisol levels across cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), saliva, and plasma (total and free) compartments and describe the effects of age and sex on these relationships.
Design
Multisite cross-sectional observation study.
Setting
Samples collected in academic outpatient settings in 2001-2004.
Patients or Other Participants
Healthy community volunteers (n = 157) of both sexes, aged 20-85 years.
Interventions
None.
Main Outcome Measures
This study was a secondary analysis of data collected from a previously published study.
Results
CSF cortisol correlated more strongly with plasma (r = 0.49, P < .0001) than with saliva cortisol levels. Sex but not age was a significant modifier of these relationships. CSF cortisol levels trended higher with older age in men (R2 = 0.31, P < .001) but not women. Age-related cortisol binding globulin trends differed by sex but did not correlate with sex differences in cortisol levels in any compartment.
Conclusion
Variability in the correlations between central and peripheral cortisol discourages the use of…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 157 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Cortisol, obesity and the metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study of obese subjects and review of the literature
- Relationships between lead biomarkers and diurnal salivary cortisol indices in pregnant women from Mexico City: a cross-sectional study
- Pubertal Recalibration of Cortisol Reactivity Following Early Life Stress: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
- High-end normal adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels are associated with specific cardiovascular risk factors in pediatric obesity: a cross-sectional study
- Effects of remote virtual work environment during COVID-19 pandemic on technostress among Menoufia University Staff, Egypt: a cross-sectional study
- Low serum albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and body mass are risk factors for frailty in elderly people with diabetes–a cross-sectional study
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.