Correlation between cortisol and components of the metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents

Background In obese subjects it has been shown that cortisol (F) contributes to the reduction in insulin sensitivity, suggesting a role in the development of the metabolic syndrome (MS). Aim The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the relationship between F and components of MS in 1,027 obese children and adolescents. Subjects and methods Waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SP, DP), F, serum glucose (Glyc), cholesterol HDL, triglycerides and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA index) were evaluated in all subjects. MS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Accordingly, patients were subdivided into three age groups: 6–10, 10–16 and >16 years. Results In univariate regression analysis, F was correlated with Glyc, SP and HOMA in groups 1 and 2, with DP in Group 2. In multivariate regression analysis including age, sex, puberty, BMI-SDS and F as independent variables and one of the component of the MS as the dependent variable, F was a weak predictor of the variability when DP and Glyc were introduced as dependent variables in Group 2 and when SP was introduced as dependent variable both in groups 1 and 2. When patients were subdivided into subgroups according to the IDF criteria, in Group 2 patients with one or more components of the MS had higher F concentrations. Conclusions In this cohort of obese children and adolescents, F was weakly associated with components of the MS. These findings do not support a major role for F in the development of MS.