Hair Cortisol and Testosterone Levels in Patients With and Without Acute Myocardial Infarction(MI)

Acute Myocardial Infarction Clinical Trial

Official title: A Comparison of Hair Cortisol and Testosterone Levels in Patients With Acute MI and Controls With and Without Chronic Cardiovascular Disease or Diabetes

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether hair levels of cortisol and testosterone are elevated in patients with acute MI compared to controls.

Clinical Trial Description

Recently there has been a growing interest in measuring hair cortisol and testosterone levels. Hair grows approximately 1 centimeter per month, and hair analysis accurately reflects long-term endogenous production of these hormones. The association of elevated hair cortisol levels with chronic stress has been reported in several studies. Furthermore, we have recently demonstrated higher hair cortisol levels in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction compared with patients admitted for other indications (the manuscript has recently been submitted for publication). Nevertheless it is still not clear whether hair cortisol levels are a risk factor for acute coronary event or for chronic cardiovascular diseases. In order to address this issue, further comparison of hair cortisol levels between patients with acute MI and a control group of patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases is needed.

Several studied have reported that endogenous testosterone concentrations are inversely associated with cardiovascular mortality and progression of atherosclerosis both in the coronary and the peripheral arteries. However these studies used a single serum testosterone level and therefore may not accurately represent the chronic endogenous production of this hormone. It may be that the association of testosterone levels and cardiovascular disease may be better evaluated using the hair technique. Nevertheless this association has not been studied yet.

Aim of the study:

To compare hair cortisol and testosterone levels in patients admitted with acute MI to stable patients with prior cardiovascular diseases or diabetes and patients with no history of cardiovascular diseases.

Secondary endpoint:

To evaluate the association between hair cortisol and testosterone with the burden of coronary atherosclerosis. The latter will be quantified only in the AMI patients undergoing coronary angiography by assessing the non culprit coronary arteries. ;

Study Design

Observational Model: Case Control, Time Perspective: Prospective

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Acute Myocardial Infarction
• Infarction
• Myocardial Infarction

• NCT number: NCT01144065
• Study type: Observational
• Source: Meir Medical Center
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 2010