Aims: To follow the trend of leukocyte counts relative to the serum cortisol levels in hospitalized patients.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 59 hospitalized patients who had sequential blood profiles during a 2-week period.
Results: The study cohort was divided into two subgroups according to the categorical cortisol levels: those within the normal range (< 25 microg/dl; n = 31 patients) and those above the normal range (> or = 25 microg/dl; n = 28 patients). The baseline white blood cell counts (WBCCs) were similar in both groups. After 1 week, however, the WBCCs dropped significantly in the presence of normal cortisol levels and increased in the presence of elevated cortisol levels (p = 0.002). This pattern was not followed by the platelet counts. A significant correlation was observed between the cortisol levels and the 1 week concomitant WBCC (r = 0.33).
Conclusion: Cortisol may be the mechanism with a positive effect on the maintenance of elevated leukocyte counts.
2007 S. Karger AG, Basel