Top

International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

Published in:

01-06-2018

Association Between Cortisol to DHEA-s Ratio and Sickness Absence in Japanese Male Workers

Authors: Kumi Hirokawa, Yasuhito Fujii, Toshiyo Taniguchi, Jiro Takaki, Akizumi Tsutsumi

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2018

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the association between serum levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-s) and sickness absence over 2 years in Japanese male workers.

Method

A baseline survey including questions about health behavior, along with blood sampling for cortisol and DHEA-s, was conducted in 2009. In total, 429 men (mean ± SD age, 52.9 ± 8.6 years) from whom blood samples were collected at baseline were followed until December 31, 2011. The hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for sickness absence were calculated using a Cox proportional hazard model, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Among 35 workers who took sickness absences, 31 had physical illness. A high cortisol to DHEA-s ratio increased the risk of sickness absence (crude HR = 2.68, 95% CI 1.12–6.41; adjusted HR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.35–8.20). The cortisol to DHEA-s ratio was linearly associated with an increased risk of sickness absence (p for trend < .050). Single effects of cortisol and DHEA-s levels were not associated with sickness absences. This trend did not change when limited to absences resulting from physical illness.

Conclusion

Hormonal conditions related to the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenocortical axis and adrenal function should be considered when predicting sickness absence. The cortisol to DHEA-s ratio may be more informative than single effects of cortisol and DHEA-s levels.

Mommersteeg PM, Heijnen CJ, Kavelaars A, van Doornen LJ. Immune and endocrine function in burnout syndrome. Psychosom Med. 2006;68(6):879–86. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.psy.0000239247.47581.0c.CrossRefPubMed

Sonnenschein M, Mommersteeg PM, Houtveen JH, Sorbi MJ, Schaufeli WB, van Doornen LJ. Exhaustion and endocrine functioning in clinical burnout: an in-depth study using the experience sampling method. Biol Psychol. 2007;75(2):176–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.02.001.CrossRefPubMed

Phillips AC, Carroll D, Gale CR, Lord JM, Arlt W, Batty GD. Cortisol, DHEA sulphate, their ratio, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the Vietnam Experience Study. Eur J Endocrinol. 2010;163(2):285–92. https://doi.org/10.1530/EJE-10-0299.CrossRefPubMed

Chida Y, Steptoe A. Cortisol awakening response and psychosocial factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Psychol. 2009;80(3):265–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2008.10.004.CrossRefPubMed

Zorn JV, Schür RR, Boks MP, Kahn RS, Joëls M, Vinkers CH. Cortisol stress reactivity across psychiatric disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2017;77:25–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.11.036.CrossRefPubMed

Kamba A, Daimon M, Murakami H, Otaka H, Matsuki K, Sato E, et al. Association between higher serum cortisol levels and decreased insulin secretion in a general population. PLoS One. 2016;11(11):e0166077. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0166077.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Fabre B, Grosman H, Gonzalez D, Machulsky NF, Repetto EM, Mesch V, et al. Prostate cancer, high cortisol levels and complex hormonal interaction. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016;17(7):3167–71.PubMed

Lennartsson AK, Theorell T, Kushnir MM, Jonsdottir IH. Changes in DHEA-s levels during the first year of treatment in patients with clinical burnout are related to health development. Biol Psychol. 2016;120:28–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.08.003.CrossRefPubMed

Vermeulen A. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and aging. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1995;774(1 Dehydroepiand):121–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1995.tb17376.x.CrossRefPubMed

10.

Wemm S, Koone T, Blough ER, Mewaldt S, Bardi M. The role of DHEA in relation to problem solving and academic performance. Biol Psychol. 2010;85(1):53–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2010.05.003.CrossRefPubMed

11.

Veronese N, Trevisan C, De Rui M, Bolzetta F, Maggi S, Zambon S, et al. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and risk for type 2 diabetes in older men and women: the Pro.V.A Study. Can J Diabetes. 2016;40(2):158–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2015.09.013.CrossRefPubMed

12.

Tivesten Å, Vandenput L, Carlzon D, Nilsson M, Karlsson MK, Ljunggren Ö, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate predict the 5-year risk of coronary heart disease events in elderly men. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(17):1801–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2014.05.076.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Ferrari E, Casarotti D, Muzzoni B, Albertelli N, Cravello L, Fioravanti M, et al. Age-related changes of the adrenal secretory pattern: possible role in pathological brain aging. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2001;37(1-3):294–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0173(01)00133-3.CrossRefPubMed

14.

Sollberger S, Ehlert U. How to use and interpret hormone ratios. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016;63:385–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.09.031.CrossRefPubMed

15.

Young AH, Gallagher P, Porter RJ. Elevation of the cortisol-dehydroepiandrosterone ratio in drug-free depressed patients. Am J Psychiatry. 2002;159(7):1237–9. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.159.7.1237.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Radloff LS. The CES-D scale. A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Appl Psychol Meas. 1977;1(3):385–401. https://doi.org/10.1177/014662167700100306.CrossRef

17.

Shima S, Shikano T, Kitamura T, Asai M. New self-rating scale for depression. Seishin Igaku. 1985;27:717–23. [in Japanese]

18.

Hänsel A, Hong S, Cámara RJ, von Känel R. Inflammation as a psychophysiological biomarker in chronic psychosocial stress. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2010;35(1):115–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.12.012. Review. CrossRefPubMed

19.

Lennartsson AK, Kushnir MM, Bergquist J, Jonsdottir IH. DHEA and DHEA-S response to acute psychosocial stress in healthy men and women. Biol Psychol. 2012;90(2):143–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2012.03.003.CrossRefPubMed

20.

Lennartsson AK, Theorell T, Kushnir MM, Bergquist J, Jonsdottir IH. Perceived stress at work is associated with attenuated DHEA-S response during acute psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2013;38(9):1650–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.01.010.CrossRefPubMed

21.

Buford TW, Willoughby DS. Impact of DHEA(S) and cortisol on immune function in aging: a brief review. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2008;33(3):429–33. https://doi.org/10.1139/H08-013.CrossRefPubMed

22.

Henderson M, Harvey SB, Overland S, Mykletun A, Hotopf M. Work and common psychiatric disorders. J R Soc Med. 2011;104(5):198–207. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.2011.100231.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

23.

Lee DY, Kim E, Choi MH. Technical and clinical aspects of cortisol as a biochemical marker of chronic stress. BMB Rep. 2015;48(4):209–16. https://doi.org/10.5483/BMBRep.2015.48.4.275.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

24.

Lemmens SG, Born JM, Martens EA, Martens MJ, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Influence of consumption of a high-protein vs. high-carbohydrate meal on the physiological cortisol and psychological mood response in men and women. PLoS One. 2011;6(2):e16826. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016826.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

25.

Chrousos, Vgontzas AN, Kritikou I. HPA Axis and Sleep. In: De Groot LJ, Chrousos G, Dungan K, Feingold KR, Grossman A, Hershman JM, Koch C, Korbonits M, McLachlan R, New M, Purnell J, Rebar R, Singer F, Vinik A, editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279071/ Accessed 18 Jan 2017.

Title: Association Between Cortisol to DHEA-s Ratio and Sickness Absence in Japanese Male Workers
Authors: Kumi Hirokawa
Yasuhito Fujii
Toshiyo Taniguchi
Jiro Takaki
Akizumi Tsutsumi
Publication date: 01-06-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-017-9700-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Association Between Cortisol to DHEA-s Ratio and Sickness Absence in Japanese Male Workers

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 3/2018

Measuring Fear of Physical Activity in Patients with Heart Failure

Tinnitus, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Military

One-Year Cardiovascular Prognosis of the Randomized, Controlled, Short-Term Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Among Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Secondary Prevention in Younger vs. Older Coronary Heart Disease Patients—Insights from the German Subset of the EUROASPIRE IV Survey

Service Evaluation of an Exercise on Referral Scheme for Adults with Existing Health Conditions in the United Kingdom

Cross-Cultural Validation of the Korean Version of the Chalder Fatigue Scale