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BioPsychoSocial Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Effect of prolonged stress on the adrenal hormones of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome

Authors: Nagisa Sugaya, Shuhei Izawa, Keisuke Saito, Kentaro Shirotsuki, Shinobu Nomura, Hironori Shimada

Published in: BioPsychoSocial Medicine | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prolonged stress on the salivary adrenal hormones (cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], DHEA-sulfate [DHEA-S]) of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods

The participants were female college students, including 10 with IBS and 16 without IBS (control group), who were scheduled for a 2-week teaching practice at a kindergarten. Participants were asked to collect saliva for determining adrenal hormones immediately and 30 min after awakening and before sleep, 2 weeks before the practice, the first week of the practice, the second week of the practice, and a few days after the practice.

Results

Regarding cortisol/DHEA ratio, significantly increased levels were found during the first week of the practice, and a significant interaction between group and time was found; the ratio at 30 min after awakening in the IBS group was higher than that in the control group. For the other adrenal hormone indexes, no significant differences due to the presence of IBS were found.

Conclusions

Individuals with IBS showed an elevated cortisol/DHEA ratio after awakening compared with individuals without IBS, and the elevated ratio peaked under the prolonged stress. The present study suggests that the cortisol effect is dominant in individuals with IBS under prolonged stress.

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Title: Effect of prolonged stress on the adrenal hormones of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Nagisa Sugaya
Shuhei Izawa
Keisuke Saito
Kentaro Shirotsuki
Shinobu Nomura
Hironori Shimada
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BioPsychoSocial Medicine / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1751-0759
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-015-0031-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Effect of prolonged stress on the adrenal hormones of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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