Table 3

Neuroendocrine function in patients with systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Parameter

Studies & patients (N)

Baseline patient vs. control

Stress reactivity within patients

Stress reactivity patients vs. controls

ACTH

[38] 29 RA vs. 30 HC

RA:

No difference [34,38,41]

RA:

Increase [34,41]

RA:

No difference [34,38,41]

[34] 19 RA vs. 14 HC

Not reported [38]

[41] 21 RA vs. 20 HC

Cortisol

[30] 21 RA vs. 20 HC

RA:

No difference [34,35,39,41,42]

RA:

Decrease [34,35,42]

RA:

No difference [30,34,39,41,42]

[38] 29 RA vs. 30 HC

Altered (↑) [30,38]

Change [30]

Altered (↓) [35,38]

[39] 19 RA vs. 21 HC

No difference [35]

Increase [39,41]

No difference [44]

[34] 19 RA vs. 14 HC

SLE:

Altered (↓) [44]

SLE:

Decrease [35]

SLE:

Altered (↓) [35]

[41] 21 RA vs. 20 HC

No response [44]

[42] 18 RA vs. 14 HC

[35] 7 RA, 6 SLE vs. 10 HC

[44] 14 SLE vs. 14 HC, 10 HC

Growth hormone (GH)

[34] 19 RA vs. 14 HC

RA:

No difference

RA:

Increase

RA:

No difference

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)

[34] 19 RA vs. 14 HC

RA:

No difference

RA:

No response

RA:

No difference

Prolactin

[35] 7 RA, 6 SLE vs. 10 HC

RA:

No difference

RA:

No response

RA:

Altered (↓)

SLE:

No difference

SLE:

No response

SLE:

Altered (↓)

↑ = altered response pattern is more pronounced compared to a control group; ↓ = altered response pattern is diminished compared to a control group;

RA = rheumatoid arthritis, SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus, HC = healthy controls, ACTH = adrenocorticotropin hormone,

de Brouwer et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2010 12:R89   doi:10.1186/ar3016