Information on the function of the growth hormone axis and the HPA axis in obsessive
compulsive disorder is scarce. In this study, 9 inpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis
of OCD without comorbid major depression (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
score >15; HAMD-21 total score <17) and 9 healthy matched controls were included.
Blood of patients (7 males) 31.8±9.3 years, Y-BOCS: 27.3±4.3, HAMD-21: 13.3±1.9) and
controls (7 males, 31.6±9.1 years) was drawn every 20min between 2300h and 0700h.
Mean plasma GH levels peaked at 0040h, however this peak was significantly blunted
in patients (maximum 4.3±1.5ng/ml) compared to controls (maximum 12.3±4.0ng/ml; p<0.05).
In patients but not controls two other, smaller peaks were observed (0220h and 0620h).
Secretion patterns of cortisol and ACTH were similar in both groups, in OCD, however,
at a higher level. Area under the curve plasma concentrations of both ACTH (p<0.05)
and cortisol (p<0.005) were significantly greater in patients with OCD (ACTH: 674.3±57.4;
cortisol: 2148.4±271.7) than in controls (ACTH: 460.2±61.0; cortisol: 1191.2±124.1).
In conclusion, our findings suggest that the activity of the growth hormone axis in
patients with OCD is suppressed and the activity of the HPA axis is increased.
