Hormonal alterations in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hormonal alterations in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wyller VB, Evang JA, Godang K, Solhjell KK, Bollerslev J.
Acta Paediatr. 2010 Mar 1. [Epub ahead of print]

Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Abstract Aim: The chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with alterations in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and cardiovascular autonomic nervous activity, suggesting a central dysregulation. This study explored differences among adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome patients and healthy controls regarding antidiuretic hormone, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system, sex hormones and cardiac peptides. Methods: We included a consecutive sample of 67 adolescents aged 12-18 years with chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed according to a thorough and standardized set of investigations, and a volunteer sample of 55 healthy control subjects of equal gender and age distribution. Hormones were assayed with standard laboratory methods. Results: Among patients, plasma antidiuretic hormone was significantly decreased and serum osmolality and plasma renin activity were significantly increased (p </= 0.001). Serum concentration of aldosterone, cortisol, NT-proBNP and sex hormones were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusion: Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents is associated with alterations in hormonal systems controlling osmolality and blood volume, possibly supporting a theory of central dysregulation.

PMID: 20199497 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]