BASAL ACTIVITY OF THE HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS IN PATIENTSWITH THE CHRONIC-FATIGUE-SYNDROME (NEURASTHENIA)

Background: Impairments in both basal activity and activation of the h ypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) have been reported in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS; neurasthenia). We sought to replicate these fi ndings and examined basal activity of the HPA in a carefully selected sample of patients with CFS. Methods: Basal activity of the HPA was as sessed using salivary and urinary cortisol collection over a 24-hour p eriod in 22 (12 male; 10 female) patients meeting criteria for CFS and appropriate controls. Results: Salivary and urinary cortisol measures did not differ between CFS patients and controls. Conclusions: Basal activity of the HPA was not reduced in CFS patients. Reasons for the f ailure to replicate previous findings are discussed. (C) 1998 Society of Biological Psychiatry.