Serum cortisol levels were examined in 94 patients with bronchial asthma in relation to dose of glucocorticoids and age. 1. The level of serum cortisol was significantly lower in group A patients, treated with glucocorticoids (prednisolone of 5mg/day or more) for more than 2 years, (2.4±1.2mcg/㎗) than in group B, treated with glucocorticoids (prednisolone of 5mg or less) for less than 2 years, (6.8±3.7mcg/㎗) (p<0.001) and in group C, treated without glucocorticoids, (12.6±3.9mcg/㎗) (p<0.001). The serum cortisol level was also significantly lower in group B than in group C (p<0.001). 2. The level of serum cortisol was significantly lower in patients over the age of 70 compared to that in those aged between 0 and 39 years (p<0.01) and those between 40 and 49 (p<0.05), and those between 50 and 59 (p<0.02). The level was also lower in patients between 60 and 69 compared to that in
those between 0 and 39, however, this was not significant.
These results demonstrate that the level of serum cortisol decreases by long-term glucocorticoid regimen and with aging.
serum cortisol level (血清コーチゾール)
bronchial asthma (気管支喘息)
clinical asthma type (臨床病型)
glucocorticoids (副腎皮質ホルモン)
aging (加齢)