The cortisol burden in elderly subjects with metabolic syndrome and its association with low-grade inflammation

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research 2020-07, Vol.32 (7), p.1309-1315
• Main Authors: Martocchia, A., Gallucci, M., Noale, M., Maggi, S., Cassol, M., Stefanelli, M., Postacchini, D., Proietti, A., Barbagallo, M., Dominguez, L. J., Ferri, C., Desideri, G., Toussan, L., Pastore, F., Falaschi, G. M., Paolisso, G., Falaschi, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Geriatrics/Gerontology; Hormones; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic syndrome; Older people; Original Article
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01322-3

Background Elderly people are exposed to an increased load of stressful events and neuro-hormonal stimulation is a key finding in metabolic syndrome and its related disorders. Aims To determine the role of cortisol in elderly subjects, with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS), by means of a national multicentre observational study, AGICO (AGIng and Cortisol). Methods From 2012 to 2017, the AGICO study enrolled n.339 subjects (aged > 65), after obtaining their informed consent. The investigators assessed a cardio-metabolic panel (including electrocardiogram, carotid ultrasonography and echocardiography), the presence of MetS (on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria), a neurological examination (including brain imaging), and cortisol activity (using a consecutive collection of diurnal and nocturnal urine). Results In the patients presenting with MetS, the standardized diurnal and nocturnal cortisol excretion rates were 210.7 ± 145.5 and 173.7 ± 118.1 (mean ± standard deviation) μg/g creatinine/12 h; in those without MetS, the standardized diurnal and nocturnal cortisol excretion rates were 188.7 ± 92.7 and 144.1 ± 82.3 μg/g creatinine/12 h, respectively (nocturnal urinary cortisol in patients with MetS versus those without MetS p  = 0.05, female patients with MetS vs female patients without MetS, p