Salivary Cortisol and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) as Biomarkers of Stress in Dental Medicine Students—A Pilot Study
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Stress is a significant issue among dental students, with both psychological and physiological impacts affecting their academic performance. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between academic stress and salivary biochemical mar...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/60/12/1972 |
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| Summary: | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Stress is a significant issue among dental students, with both psychological and physiological impacts affecting their academic performance. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between academic stress and salivary biochemical markers, specifically cortisol and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), in third- and fifth-year dental students during the 2022/2023 academic year. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: This study included 44 participants from the Faculty of Dental Medicine at Victor Babes University, Romania. Saliva samples were collected during a low-stress period and prior to exams (high-stress period). <i>Results</i>: Cortisol and TAC levels were measured using ELISA and TAC assays, respectively, decreasing from an average of 3.69 (SD ± 1.49) before stress to 2.86 (SD ± 2.28) during high-stress periods <i>(p</i> < 0.05), while salivary cortisol levels showed a non-significant change from 23.69 (SD ± 35.6) ng/mL to 20.44 (SD ± 23.07) ng/mL; additionally, female participants exhibited a mean STAI score of 91.65 (SD ± 5.13) compared to 91.09 (SD ± 9.41) for males, indicating greater stress responses among females. <i>Conclusions</i>: The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores confirmed elevated anxiety levels during exams. The findings suggest that academic stress negatively impacts TAC while triggering a moderate increase in salivary cortisol, underlining the need for stress management interventions in dental education. |
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| ISSN: | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |