Anorexia nervosa and adrenal hormones: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Women with anorexia nervosa have higher cortisol levels and lower DHEA-S and testosterone levels compared to women without anorexia nervosa. This finding is important to consider when evaluating low-weight women for disorders involving the adrenal axis, especially Cushing's syndrome.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with anorexia nervosa and normal-weight healthy controls; studies in MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception until October 2021101 studies
- Comparison
- Anorexia nervosa vs normal-weight healthy controls
- Outcome
- Adrenocortical hormone levels (pooled MD)
Methodological detailsrandom-effects model
- Random-effects model
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Adrenocortical hormone levels
- Mean cortisol significantly higher in anorexia nervosa vs normal-weight controls (morning cortisol, 12-hour and 24-hour pooled serum cortisol, 24-hour urine cortisol, and after overnight dexamethasone suppression test)
- Mean serum total testosterone and DHEA-sulphate (DHEA-S) significantly lower in anorexia nervosa
Original publication
Anorexia nervosa and adrenal hormones: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 5 September 2023. doi:10.
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