Sociodemographic variables, life style and cortisol levels in a sample of Mexicans

• Main Authors: Claudia Vega-Michel, Everardo Camacho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2012-09-01
• Series: European Journal of Psychotraumatology
• Subjects: cortisol; sociodemographic variables; life habits; health; disease

Kudielka, Hellhammer and Wüst (2009) identified studies about how a wide sample of variables affect the measure of the concentration of cortisol; in the first place are the age and gender of participants, in women, the phase of the menstrual cycle, consume of oral contraception, and if they were pregnant or nursing, among others. Indeed, the variations of immediate physical conditions—like a sleep hours after the take of the saliva sample, strong physical activity, or if they consumed coffee, nicotine, dietary or any kind of drugs prior to the research. Finally, due to the influence of more distal variables, such as intense emotional experiences of the mother during the pregnancy and hereditary factors in general (see Bartels, de Geus, Kirshbaum, Sluyter & Boomsma, 2003) and the type of procedures, like the hour of the take of the saliva sample, because of the variation of the circadian rhythm of the cortisol. Problem : If we recognize the influence of these variables, from a methodological view, it is important to control these variables in the context of a research where we use the measure of salivary cortisol. Methods : The overall average and the circadian cycle of cortisol in 3,414 salivary samples taken in 12 studies in Mexico, that were discussed this hormone differences based on age, gender and consumption or not cigars variables were analysed. Results : It was observed a decrease in the concentration of cortisol as the participants were advancing in age; also identified a circadian normal pattern but with higher levels in the studied sample. Finally, no significant differences were found between the concentrations of cortisol between women and men, as well as between smokers and non-smokers. Conclusion : It discusses the conceptual, methodological implications and practices resulting from the findings, both for the development of future research for his study in relation to the phenomena of health and disease. Take into account the age as a factor that affects the salivary cortisol measurements.