Association of chronic stress, depression symptoms and cortisol with low saliva flow in a sample of south-Brazilians aged 50 years and older

Background:  Few studies have evaluated the relationship between depression symptoms, chronic stress or physiological measures of stress such as cortisol levels and saliva secretion. Objective:  To evaluate the association of low saliva flow with chronic stress, depression symptoms and cortisol in a...

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Published in:Gerodontology 2008-03, Vol.25 (1), p.18-25
Main Authors: Hugo, Fernando Neves, Hilgert, Juliana Balbinot, Corso, Samuel, Padilha, Dalva Maria Pereira, Bozzetti, Mary Clarisse, Bandeira, Denise R., Pawlowski, Josiane, Gonçalves, Tonantzin Ribeiro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
caregivers
Caregivers - psychology
Chronic Disease
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dentistry
depression
Depression - complications
Female
Humans
Hydrocortisone - analysis
Hydrocortisone - biosynthesis
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Psychometrics
saliva
Saliva - chemistry
Saliva - secretion
Secretory Rate
stress
Stress, Psychological - complications
Stress, Psychological - metabolism
Surveys and Questionnaires
Xerostomia - etiology
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Summary:Background:  Few studies have evaluated the relationship between depression symptoms, chronic stress or physiological measures of stress such as cortisol levels and saliva secretion. Objective:  To evaluate the association of low saliva flow with chronic stress, depression symptoms and cortisol in a population aged 50 years and older. Methods:  Participants (n = 227) were recruited from community clubhouses and among dementia caregivers. Stress was assessed using the Lipp’s Stress Symptoms Inventory and salivary cortisol measurements. In addition, taking care of a relative with dementia was included as a proxy variable for chronic stress. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. Saliva flow rate was assessed by measuring unstimulated and chewing‐stimulated saliva flow. Further saliva samples were collected (morning, noon, night) for cortisol analysis by means of radioimmunoassay. Results:  Gender, being a dementia caregiver, self‐reported diabetes and prescriptive medication intake were independently associated with a low stimulated saliva flow. Prescriptive medication intake was also associated with a low unstimulated saliva flow. Conclusion:  Caregiving, a proxy of chronic stress, was associated with low stimulated saliva flow, indicating that stress may have a potential role in salivary gland hypofunction.
ISSN:0734-0664
1741-2358
DOI:10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007.00188.x