Plasma cortisol and neuropeptide Y in female victims of intimate partner violence

Abstract

Background: The experience of intimate partner violence (physical and sexual violence) has been linked to psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, yet data on the neuroendocrine profile in this population is sparse. This study sought to examine baseline plasma cortisol and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: Morning plasma samples were collected for cortisol and NPY determination in 22 women with histories of IPV (10 with current PTSD, 12 without current or lifetime PTSD) and 16 non-abused controls. Results: Mean cortisol levels were significantly lower in IPV subjects compared with controls, but did not distinguish IPV subjects with and without PTSD. There were no significant differences in mean NPY levels between the groups. Neither cortisol nor NPY levels were significantly correlated with PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that victims of IPV, like women traumatized by childhood abuse, may be characterized by alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning, however, further study is needed to identify specific stress system disturbances in this group.