Cornelia Pipper, Linda Bliem, Luis E León, Daniela Mennickent, Claudia Bodner, Enrique Guzmán-Gutiérrez, Michael Stingl, Eva Untersmayr, Bernhard Wagner, Romina Bertinat, Nuno Sepúlveda, Francisco Westermeier
PURPOSE: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease characterized by persistent fatigue and decreased daily activity following physical and/or cognitive exertion. While ME/CFS affects both sexes, there is a higher prevalence in women. However, studies evaluating this sex-related bias are limited. METHODS: Circulating steroid hormones, including mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), glucocorticoids (cortisol, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisone), androgens (androstenedione, testosterone), and progestins (progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone), were measured in plasma samples using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)...
May 10, 2024: Journal of Endocrinological Investigation