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The Impact of Goal Disturbance after Cancer on Cortisol Levels over Time and the Moderating Role of COMT

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  • Moniek Janse
  • Martijn van Faassen
  • Ido Kema
  • Ans Smink
  • Adelita V Ranchor
  • Joke Fleer
  • Mirjam A G Sprangers

Abstract

Due to physical hindrance and time spent in hospital, a cancer diagnosis can lead to disturbance of personally important goals. Goal disturbance in cancer patients has been related to poorer psychological well-being. However, the relation with physiological measures is yet unknown. The purpose of the current study is to examine the impact of goal disturbance on cortisol as a measure of response to stress over time, and a possibly moderating role of a DNA genotype associated with HPA-axis functioning, Catechol-O-Methyl transferase (COMT). We examined the predictive value of goal disturbance on Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) and Diurnal Cortisol Slope (DCS) over two periods: 1–7 and 7–18 months post-diagnosis, and the moderating role of COMT during these periods. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that goal disturbance 7 months post-diagnosis significantly predicted a steeper CAR a year later. During that period, the slow COMT variant moderated the relation, in that patients reporting high goal disturbance and had the Met/Met variant, had a more flattened CAR. No other significant effects were found. As steeper CARs have been related to adverse health outcomes, and COMT genotype may modify this risk, these results indicate that goal disturbance and genotype may be important factors to consider in maintaining better psychological and physical health in the already vulnerable population of cancer patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Moniek Janse & Martijn van Faassen & Ido Kema & Ans Smink & Adelita V Ranchor & Joke Fleer & Mirjam A G Sprangers, 2015. "The Impact of Goal Disturbance after Cancer on Cortisol Levels over Time and the Moderating Role of COMT," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0135708
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135708
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simone Kern & Ivonne Krause & Antje Horntrich & Katja Thomas & Julia Aderhold & Tjalf Ziemssen, 2013. "Cortisol Awakening Response Is Linked to Disease Course and Progression in Multiple Sclerosis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-8, April.
    2. Jennifer R. Piazza & David M. Almeida & Natalia O. Dmitrieva & Laura C. Klein, 2010. "Frontiers in the Use of Biomarkers of Health in Research on Stress and Aging," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(5), pages 513-525.
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