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Alterations in morning cortisol associated with PTSD in women with breast cancer JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH Luecken, L. J., Dausch, B., Gulla, Hong, R., Compas, B. E. 2004; 56 (1): 13-15

Abstract

Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can be a stressful experience, putting women at risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study investigated morning cortisol levels in newly diagnosed (i.e., within 6 months) breast cancer patients.Structured DSM-IV interviews determined current and past incidence of PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD) in 71 women with Stage 0-3 breast cancer.Significantly decreased plasma cortisol was found in women meeting current or lifetime criteria for PTSD or past diagnosis of MDD.These results reinforce the importance for both psychological and physiological outcomes of a clinical evaluation of both current and past psychiatric status in newly diagnosed cancer patients.

View details for DOI 10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00561-0

View details for Web of Science ID 000220078500003

View details for PubMedID 14987959