Hormonal alterations in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract

AbstractAim: The chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with alterations in the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal axis and cardiovascular autonomic nervous activity, suggesting a central dysregulation. This study explored differences among adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome patients and healthy controls regarding antidiuretic hormone, the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone‐system, sex hormones and cardiac peptides.Methods: We included a consecutive sample of 67 adolescents aged 12–18 years with chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed according to a thorough and standardized set of investigations, and a volunteer sample of 55 healthy control subjects of equal gender and age distribution. Hormones were assayed with standard laboratory methods.Results: Among patients, plasma antidiuretic hormone was significantly decreased and serum osmolality and plasma renin activity were significantly increased (p ≤ 0.001). Serum concentration of aldosterone, cortisol, NT‐proBNP and sex hormones were not significantly different in the two groups.Conclusion: Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents is associated with alterations in hormonal systems controlling osmolality and blood volume, possibly supporting a theory of central dysregulation.