An initial exploration of hair cortisol responses to antidepressants in unmedicated patients with depression

摘要

Objective Major depressive disorder is associated with abnormal functioning of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Studies using hair cortisol to measure the effect of antidepressants on the HPA axis are lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the long-term effects of antidepressants on hair cortisol concentration (HCC). Methods Participants were 42 patients and 36 healthy individuals. The patients took antidepressants for 4 weeks. Patient HCC was measured pre-treatment and post-treatment. The HCC of healthy controls was also measured. Results Patient post-treatment HCC (mean?±?standard deviation: 34.40?±?32.57?pmol/mg) was significantly higher than patient pre-treatment HCC (17.42?±?12.40?pmol/mg) and healthy control HCC (10.22?±?7.99?pmol/mg). No significant correlation was found between Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores and HCC at pre-treatment or post-treatment. Conclusions Hair cortisol concentration analysis could be used to monitor the dynamics of the effects of antidepressants on the HPA axis.