TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - Salivary cortisol and psychopathology in adults bereaved by the September 11, 2001 terror attacks
JO  - International journal of psychiatry in medicine
A1  - Pfeffer, C. R.
A1  - Altemus, Margaret
A1  - Heo, Moonseong
A1  - Jiang, Hong
SP  - 215
EP  - 226
VL  - 39
IS  - 3
N2  - OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed to describe the nature and time course of HPA axis dysregulation and psychopathology among terror-bereaved spouses. METHOD: Twenty-three spouses bereaved from September 11, 2001 terror attacks and 22 nonbereaved spouses were compared using a psychiatric diagnostic interview (SCID), 3 days of salivary cortisol collection, and a dexamethasone suppression test. Most subjects had repeated assessments at 6 month intervals during the 2 year study. RESULTS: After September 11, 2001, bereaved compared to nonbereaved had significantly higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 68.1% versus 0%) and major depressive disorder (MDD; 45.5% versus 9.5%). Bereaved had significantly higher morning basal cortisol and less afternoon postdexamethasone cortisol suppression than nonbereaved. Among bereaved, those with PTSD without comorbid MDD had significantly greater afternoon postdexamethasone cortisol suppression than those without psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Terror-related spouse death is a severe stressor associated with persistent HPA axis activation, PTSD, and MDD. However, bereaved spouses who developed PTSD and were not depressed had enhanced postdexamethasone cortisol suppression, evidence of heightened glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0091-2174
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -