Circadian Rhythm of Cortisol is Altered in Postsurgical Patients*
Key result
High trauma surgery is linked to shifted cortisol circadian rhythms and persistently elevated postoperative levels.
- n=10
Why the study?
Does the severity of surgical trauma alter the circadian rhythm and levels of plasma cortisol in postsurgical patients?
Population
10 surgical patients, 36-65 years old, divided into a low trauma group not requiring laparotomy and a high…
Comparison
Surgical procedures. vs Pre-surgical baseline (48 hours before surgery).
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
Up to 72 hours post-surgery
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
May confound postoperative cortisol interpretation after high-trauma surgery; leaves open whether rhythm-targeted interventions alter recovery.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=10)
Structured PICO
Does the severity of surgical trauma alter the circadian rhythm and levels of plasma cortisol in postsurgical patients?
P
Population
10 surgical patients aged 36-65 years, divided into low trauma and high trauma groups, with blood sampled every 20 minutes for 24-hour periods before and after surgery.
E
Exposure
Surgical procedures (varying degrees of severity: high trauma requiring laparotomy vs. low trauma not requiring laparotomy).
C
Comparator
Pre-surgical baseline (48 hours before surgery).
O
Outcome
Secretory pattern of adrenocorticosteroids (plasma cortisol levels, episodic secretion, and circadian rhythmicity) measured every 20 minutes for 24-hour periods.surrogate
Surgical trauma causes a prolonged, severity-dependent elevation in plasma cortisol and a phase shift in its circadian rhythm, which may have implications for postoperative management.
Cite This Study
McIntosh et al. (1981) conducted an observational in Surgical patients (n=10). High trauma surgery (requiring laparotomy) vs. Low trauma surgery (not requiring laparotomy) was evaluated on Secretory pattern of adrenocorticosteroids (plasma cortisol levels and circadian rhythm phase shifting). High trauma surgery caused significant phase shifting in circadian rhythms of plasma cortisol, with elevated levels persisting 48-72 hours postoperatively.