Circadian Variation of the Plasma 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids in Central Nervous System Disease1

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Abstract
The pattern of the circadian variation of the plasma 17-OHCS [17-hydroxy-corticosteroid] was studied in 48 patients with focal disease of the central nervous system unassociated with disturbance of consciousness. Disease of the temporal lobe, pretectum or hypothalamus was present in 27 patients (Group A). Pituitary disease characterized by sellar enlargement, but with minimal evidence of endocrinopathy, was present in 13 patients (Group B). The control group consisted of 21 patients with focal central nervous system disease outside these areas (Group C), and 47 normal subjects (Group D). The circadian patterns of the patient groups were compared to those of the normal subjects with respect to 3 criteria: (a) slope of linear trend (calculated by the method of least squares); (b) extent of variation of plasma steroid levels from this fitted straight line; and (c) average plasma steroid levels. Patients in Group A differed significantly (at an over-all 5% level) from normal subjects with respect to the first 2 criteria. In patients in Group B, significant differences from normal subjects were found only with respect to criterion (b). Patients in Group C showed no significant differences from normal subjects with respect to any of the 3 criteria employed.