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It's been thought for some time that disregulated cortisol secretion contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes. A German study set out to determine "the association of cortisol levels and diurnal secretion patterns with prevalence of type 2 diabetes and HbA1c levels as well as the potential impact of sex and adiposity on this association."
The authors of the study point out that participants were older, and that association, which was demonstrated, does not necessarily lead one to conclude that causation has been established. Nonetheless, it suggests that obtaining salivary cortisol levels during an endocrine workup should be considered far more often than is typically done.
Psychoneuroendocrinology, July 2016, "Sex Related Differences in the Association of Salivary Cortisol Levels and Type 2 Diabetes. Findings From the Cross-Sectional Population-Based KORA-Age Study."
http://www.psyneuen-journal.com/article/S0306-4530(16)30083-X/fulltext
- Seven hundred fifty seven, older participants (agtes 65-90) were enrolled.
- Regression analysis was employed to examine the association between salivary cortisol upon waking, 30 minutes after awakening, and at late night/bedtime, and type 2 diabetes prevalence and elevated HbA1c levels.
- In the total sample population, "an elevated late night salivary cortisol level was observed in type 2 diabetes patients compared to non-patients. Diabetic men showed a greater cortisol awakening response...while diabetic women had significantly elevated late-night-salivary cortisol levels."
- In respect to HbA1c, it was "positively associated with both cortisol awakening response and late-night-salivary-cortisol levels."
The authors of the study point out that participants were older, and that association, which was demonstrated, does not necessarily lead one to conclude that causation has been established. Nonetheless, it suggests that obtaining salivary cortisol levels during an endocrine workup should be considered far more often than is typically done.
Psychoneuroendocrinology, July 2016, "Sex Related Differences in the Association of Salivary Cortisol Levels and Type 2 Diabetes. Findings From the Cross-Sectional Population-Based KORA-Age Study."
http://www.psyneuen-journal.com/article/S0306-4530(16)30083-X/fulltext
