Relation between DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) and meaning of life

―Evaluation using SOC (Sense of Coherence) Questionnaire, CHCW Questionnaire―

Abstract

［Objective］We examined whether DHEA-S correlates with patients' subjective feeling of “meaning of life.”

［Methods］Subjects were women aged 30-49 years (n = 80). They were divided into two groups: a Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) group (n = 41) and a healthy group (n = 39). Serum DHEA-S levels of less than100 μg/dL in the FMS group were classified into an FMS low value group (F-L group: n = 14), and serum levels of 100 μg/dL or more were classified into an FMS high value group (F-H group: n = 27). Serum DHEA-S levels of less than 100 μg/dL in the healthy group were classified into a healthy low value group (H-L group: n = 7), and serum levels of 100 μg/dL or more were classified into a healthy high value group (H-H group: n = 32).

［Results］The F-H group had the highest correlation coefficient between DHEA-S and “meaningfulness” and was positively correlated (rs = 0.5425, p＜0.01). DHEA-S was positively correlated with three values: creative values, experiential values, and attitudinal values (p＜0.01). There was a negative correlation between DHEA-S and “social factors” in the H-H group (p＜0.05). There was a negative correlation between DHEA-S/cortisol ratio and ‘physical factors’ (p＜0.05).

［Discussion］In functional pathology, it is suggested that the proportion of “meaning of life” contributes as a factor affecting DHEA-S values. Changes in factors related to DHEA-S are thought to be related to the processes of “health, functional disease, organic disease, lethal disease, and death” in salutogenesis.