A study of stress reactivity in the development of chronic endometriosis.

Lee, Ji Eun; Chung, Min Hyung; Lee, Bo Yeon; Kim, Seung Bo; Huh, Chu Yeop

Obstet Gynecol Sci > Volume 50(1); 2007 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007;50(1):187-194.
Published online January 1, 2007.

A study of stress reactivity in the development of chronic endometriosis.

Ji Eun Lee, Min Hyung Chung, Bo Yeon Lee, Seung Bo Kim, Chu Yeop Huh

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Korea. lovedogy@naver.com

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To determine whether there is an association between the characteristics of pain in endometriosis and chronic stress. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifteen women were diagnosed as endometriosis by diagnostic laparoscopy and 14 asymptomatic volunteers were enrolled. Case group was divided into two groups with their pain duration and severity. Saliva was collected four times a day with commercial collector, Salivette. Salivary cortisol was analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. Statistical association was assessed with Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and repeated measures ANOVA test. RESULTS: In the curve showing diurnal changes of cortisol level, morning rise in cortisol level was significantly blunted among patients compared with control group (p<0.05). Among two patient groups, there was no significant correlation with disease severity, but with duration (p<0.05). CA 125 level, pain scaling score, and age showed no significant correlation. CONCLUSION: Morning rise in salivary cortisol level is blunted in women especially with chronic endometriosis. These is findings might be a small clues that the changes in the salivary cortisol level can be a sign of chronic stress state.

Key Words: Endometriosis, Salivary cortisol, Stress