Plasma cortisol levels and illness appraisal in deficit syndrome schizophrenia

White, R. G. , Lysaker, P., Gumley, A. I. , McLeod, H. , McCleery, M., O’Neill, D., MacBeth, A., Giurgi-Oncu, C. and Mulholland, C. C. (2014) Plasma cortisol levels and illness appraisal in deficit syndrome schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research, 220(3), pp. 765-771. (doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.08.043)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2014.08.043

Abstract

Research investigating the association between negative symptoms and plasma cortisol levels in individuals with schizophrenia has produced inconsistent findings. This study investigated whether deficit syndrome schizophrenia (characterized by high levels of primary negative symptoms) is associated with comparatively high morning plasma cortisol levels, more negative appraisals about illness and higher levels of depression. Participants were 85 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and 85 individuals with no history of contact with psychiatric services matched for age and gender. All participants provided fasting 9.00 a.m. plasma cortisol samples. There were no significant differences between the schizophrenia and control participants in plasma cortisol levels. The Proximal Deficit Syndrome method was used to identify individuals with deficit syndrome schizophrenia. Contrary to what had been hypothesized, participants with deficit syndrome schizophrenia had significantly lower plasma cortisol levels than both non-deficit syndrome participants and control participants. Participants with the deficit syndrome reported significantly less negative appraisals about illness (assessed by PBIQ) and lower levels of depression (assessed by BDI-II). Differences in cortisol levels continued to trend toward significance when levels of depression were controlled for. The patterns of illness-related appraisals and plasma cortisol levels raise the possibility that the deficit syndrome could be a form of adaptation syndrome.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:White, Dr Ross and MacBeth, Mr Angus and McLeod, Professor Hamish and Gumley, Professor Andrew
Authors: White, R. G., Lysaker, P., Gumley, A. I., McLeod, H., McCleery, M., O’Neill, D., MacBeth, A., Giurgi-Oncu, C., and Mulholland, C. C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Psychiatry Research
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0165-1781
ISSN (Online):1872-7123

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