Depressive symptoms are associated with higher morning plasma cortisol in primary care subjects.

Background: Cortisol dysregulation has a potential role in depression.

Aim And Methods: We evaluated depressive symptoms using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression in 48 primary care subjects without history of previous or current depression and its association with cortisol dysregulation (morning plasma cortisol, 24-hour urinary free cortisol and cortisol metabolites). Presence of metabolic syndrome and inflammatory parameters were also assessed.