The association of cortisol curve features with incident diabetes among whites and African Americans: The CARDIA study

Bjorn Kluwe, Robin Ortiz, James B. Odei, Songzhu Zhao, David Kline, Guy Brock, Justin B. Echouffo-Tcheugui, Ju Mi Lee, Sophie Lazarus, Teresa Seeman, Philip Greenland, Belinda Needham, Mercedes R. Carnethon, Sherita H. Golden, Joshua J. Joseph

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: A flatter diurnal cortisol curve has been associated with incident diabetes among older white adults. However, this relationship has not been examined among middle-aged individuals or African Americans [AA]. We analyzed the longitudinal association of baseline diurnal cortisol curve features with incident diabetes over a 10 year period in a cohort of AA and white participants who were, on average, 40 years old. Methods: Salivary cortisol was collected immediately post-awakening, then subsequently 45 min, 2.5 h, 8 h, and 12 h later, as well as at bedtime. Cortisol curve features included wake-up cortisol; cortisol awakening response (CAR); early, late, and overall decline slopes; bedtime cortisol; and 16 -h area under the curve (AUC). Salivary cortisol (nmol/L) was log-transformed due to positively skewed distributions. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or taking diabetes medication. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of log-transformed cortisol curve features with incident diabetes. The analysis was stratified by race and adjusted for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, smoking status, beta-blocker and steroid medication use and BMI. Results: Among 376 AA and 333 white participants (mean age 40 years), 67 incident diabetes cases occurred over 10 years. After full adjustment for additional covariates, a 1-unit log increase in CAR was associated with a 53 % lower odds of incident diabetes among whites (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.47, 95 % CI: 0.24, 0.90). A 1-SD increase in late decline slope was associated with a 416 % higher odds of incident diabetes among whites (OR 5.16, 95 % CI: 1.32, 20.20). There were no significant associations in AAs. Conclusion: A robust CAR and flatter late decline slope are associated with lower and higher odds of incident diabetes, respectively, among younger to middle-aged whites and may provide a future target for diabetes prevention in this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number105041
JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology
Volume123
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

Keywords

  • African American
  • Cortisol
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology
  • Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The association of cortisol curve features with incident diabetes among whites and African Americans: The CARDIA study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this