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Circadian Rhythm of Serum Cortisol in Female Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

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Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients have disturbed sleep patterns which may lead to altered circadian rhythm in serum cortisol secretion. The aim of this study was to assess circadian changes, if any, in serum cortisol levels in female patients with FMS. Cortisol levels were estimated every 6 h during 24 h period; in 40 female patients satisfying ACR criteria for FMS (Age 36.4 ± 9.9), and 40 healthy females without FMS (Age 33.8 ± 11.1). A significant difference in the night time serum cortisol level was observed among the patients and control groups (patients, 12.9 ± 9.7 controls 5.8 ± 3.0; p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found in serum cortisol levels in patients and control groups in the morning (patients, 28.4 ± 13.2 controls, 27.6 ± 14.5; p > 0.05), afternoon (patients, 14.4 ± 5.6 controls, 14.0 ± 6.6; p > 0.05) and evening hours (patients, 10.9 ± 5.8 controls, 8.9 ± 3.6; p > 0.05). It could be concluded that there is an abnormality in circadian secretion of cortisol in female FMS patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, UP, India

    Ghizal Fatima & Siddharth Kumar Das

  2. Medical Elementology and Free Radical Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, UP, India

    Abbas Ali Mahdi

  3. Department of Physiology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, UP, India

    Nar Singh Verma

  4. Department of Zoology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, 226003, UP, India

    Faizan Haider Khan

  5. Department of Biochemistry, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, UP, India

    Amit Mani Kumar Tiwari, Tabrez Jafer & Baby Anjum

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  1. Ghizal Fatima
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  2. Siddharth Kumar Das
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Correspondence to Abbas Ali Mahdi.

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Fatima, G., Das, S.K., Mahdi, A.A. et al. Circadian Rhythm of Serum Cortisol in Female Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Ind J Clin Biochem 28, 181–184 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-012-0258-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-012-0258-z

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