Adrenocorticotropic Axis and Neuropathic Pain

Day of inclusion: Blood sample for analysis of several hormones (cortisol, ACTH, SHBG, total testostérone et S-DHEA, βœstradiol et progestérone for women, LH, FSH).

Day +1: salivary samples (at wake-up, 30 minutes after wake-up, at lunch, at 06:00 pm and before sleep).

Day +2: salivary samples (at wake-up, 30 minutes after wake-up).

Inclusion criteria

• Group of patients
• Patients older than 18 years,
• Male or Female with BMI between 18 and 35,
• Patients with chronic neuropathic pain for more than six months, except to diabetes or central neuropathic pain
• Patients receiving systemic therapy for treating chronic neuropathic pain such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants or opiates for at least 6 months.

Group of healthy volunteers

• non-painful healthy volunteers matched by age, sex, BMI and menopausal status for women,
• Free of analgesics within 8 days before the test,
• Aged over 18 years,
• Male or Female,

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with a medical history and / or surgical judged by the investigator or his representative as being incompatible with the test
• Patients treated only by topical treatment (lidocaine patch only for example)
• Pateints receiving corticosteroid treatment at the time of enrollment, or who received such treatment during the last 6 months (regardless of the dosage form and dosage),
• Inflammatory and evolutive pathology requiring long term treatment,
• Type 2 diabetes,
• Postmenopausal women with replacement therapy,
• Weight change of more than 5% within 3 months before the study,
• BMI <18 or> 35,