- Those with COVID-19 showed a greater acute cortisol stress response compared to those who did not contract COVID-19.
- There is a positive association between cortisol levels and mortality
   - If cortisol levels increased, then the likelihood of death would increase
- Patients did not show adrenal insufficiency immediately, which is caused by low cortisol levels, but adrenal insufficiency will mostly increase a while after the onset of the virus
- In a study, it was found that when cortisol levels were greater than 744 nmol/L, there was a decrease in survival probability over a span of 42 days

Michigan State University

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that plays a role in metabolism and the immune response. (i.e. It is released when stress levels are increased or blood-glucose levels are low)

Cortisol

Tan, T., Khoo, B., Mills, E. G., Phylactou, M., Patel, B., Eng, P. C., ... & Dhillo, W. S. (2020). Association between high serum total cortisol concentrations and mortality from COVID-19. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 8(8), 659-660.

Association between high serum total cortisol concentrations and mortality from COVID-19

Cortisol Concentrations and COVID-19 Mortality

- The HADS scale was used to determine levels of anxiety and depression
- It was found that there is a statistically significant relationship between the HADS score and cortisol levels
  - As levels of depression and anxiety increased, cortisol levels also increased
- COVID-19 Patients who had passed away had higher serum cortisol levels compared to the COVID-19 patients that survived
- Stress increases one’s susceptibility to respiratory tract infections, making patients more vulnerable to getting a cold
  - The immune cells become unable to regulate inflammation
- As tissues become less sensitive to cortisol due to high levels of stress, it becomes more difficult to regulate stress levels

Anxiety and Cortisol Levels in COVID-19 Patients

SARS-CoV-2 negatively impacts the cortisol stress response. Corticosteroid therapy is efficient in treating severe COVID-19


Corticosteroids and Treament of COVID-19

Diurnal cortisol secretions (AUCg) and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) play a role in determining how susceptible someone is to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Learn Before

Related