Severe fatigue in patients with adrenal insufficiency: physical, psychosocial and endocrine...

[Bob]

Netherlands

Severe fatigue in patients with adrenal insufficiency: physical, psychosocial and endocrine determinants.
Giebels V, Repping-Wuts H, Bleijenberg G, Kroese JM, Stikkelbroeck N, Hermus A.
Journal
J Endocrinol Invest. 2014 Mar;37(3):293-301. doi: 10.1007/s40618-013-0042-9. Epub 2014 Jan 9.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40618-013-0042-9

Abstract

Background
Fatigue is a frequently experienced complaint in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) and may be influenced by cortisol levels.

Aim
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of severe fatigue in adrenal insufficiency (AI) patients, to assess which dimensions contribute to fatigue severity and to determine the association between salivary cortisol levels and momentary fatigue.

Subjects and methods
We performed a cross-sectional study in the outpatient department of a university hospital. Included were 27 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), 26 patients with primary AI (PAI), 24 patients with secondary AI (SAI) and 31 patients with adrenal insufficiency after treatment for Cushing’s syndrome (Cush-AI). Measurements included computerised questionnaires to determine fatigue severity and physical and psychosocial contributors. Patients took four saliva samples at home, in which cortisol levels were measured.

Results
Severe fatigue was experienced by 41 % of the CAH patients, 42 % of the PAI patients, 50 % of the SAI patients and 42 % of the Cush-AI patients. Psychological distress, functional impairment, sleep disturbance, physical activity, concentration problems and social functioning contributed to the subjective experience of fatigue. Salivary cortisol levels were not correlated with momentary fatigue.

Conclusions
A considerable proportion of AI patients experience severe fatigue. Salivary cortisol level is not a significant predictor for momentary fatigue in AI patients.

 

[xchocoholic]

I'm not sure I understand this.

It says salivary cortisol levels are NOT a significant predictor of momentary farigue in AI patients.

So what tests should be used?

I was dx with AI via salivary testing. I definitely have a tough time moving in the mornings. I was under the impression that my adrenal test explained this.

Tx ... x

 

[Little Bluestem]

I don’t know what they mean by “momentary fatigue”. I thought that adrenal insufficiency caused chronic low energy. Some of the patients had Cushing’s sydrome or AI secondary to another condition. These could have contributed to the momentary fatigue.

 

[Pyrrhus]

...It's also important to remember that Adrenal Insufficiency by itself does NOT come with PEM.

Most of the cortisol disturbances seen in ME are usually attributed to hypothalamic dysfunction:

Is your Hypothalamus up the creek?
https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/is-your-hypothalamus-up-the-creek.81181/