Cortisol/cortisone levels and quality of life in individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Rmr Tulloh; F F Quek; K Stevenson; V Garratt; J M Turner-Cobb

doi:10.1177/2045894020924325

Cortisol/cortisone levels and quality of life in individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulm Circ. 2020 May 18;10(2):2045894020924325. doi: 10.1177/2045894020924325. eCollection 2020 Apr-Jun.

Authors

Rmr Tulloh¹, F F Quek¹, K Stevenson², V Garratt³, J M Turner-Cobb⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK.
² Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
³ Department of Psychology, University Hospital Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
⁴ Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK.

Abstract

Individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension experience debilitating symptoms and psychological distress which may influence their cortisol regulation. We describe associations between diurnal salivary cortisol/cortisone levels and quality of life in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Findings suggest potential clinical utility of cortisol/cortisone assessment as applied to a pulmonary arterial hypertension population.

Keywords: diurnal cortisol; mental health; physical health; psychological distress; pulmonary arterial hypertension.