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

作者：Hugo Fernando Neves^*; Hilgert Juliana Balbinot; Corso Samuel; Pereira Padilha Dalva Maria; Bozzetti Mary Clarisse; Bandeira Denise R; Pawlowski Josiane; Goncalves Tonantzin Ribeiro

来源：Gerodontology, 2008, 25(1): 18-25.

DOI：10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007.00188.x

• depression
• saliva
• stress
• caregivers

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 measurcments. 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.

• 出版日期2008-3