Cross-country differences in basal and stress-induced cortisol secretion in older adults

Juliana N Souza-Talarico; Pierrich Plusquellec; Sonia J Lupien; Alexandra Fiocco; Deborah Suchecki

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105968

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Cross-country differences in basal and stress-induced cortisol secretion in older adults

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Cross-country differences in basal and stress-induced cortisol secretion in older adults

Juliana N Souza-Talarico, Pierrich Plusquellec, Sonia J Lupien, Alexandra Fiocco and Deborah Suchecki

PloS one, Vol.9(8), pp.e105968-e105968

2014

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105968

PMCID: PMC4143307

PMID: 25153322

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Abstract

Several studies have emphasized the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and inadequate response of the biological stress system. However, other factors related to SES are rarely considered, such as cultural values, social norms, organization, language and communication skills, which raises the need to investigate cross-country differences in stress response. Although some studies have shown differences in cortisol levels between immigrants and natives, there is no cross-country evidence regarding cortisol levels in country-native elders. This is particularly important given the high prevalence of stress-related disorders across nations during aging. The current study examined basal diurnal and reactive cortisol levels in healthy older adults living in two different countries. Salivary cortisol of 260 older adults from Canada and Brazil were analyzed. Diurnal cortisol was measured in saliva samples collected at home throughout two working days at awakening, 30 min after waking, 1400 h, 1600 h and before bedtime. Cortisol reactivity was assessed in response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in both populations. Our results showed that even under similar health status, psychological and cognitive characteristics, Brazilian elders exhibited higher basal and stress-induced cortisol secretion compared to the Canadian participants. These findings suggest that country context may modulate cortisol secretion and could impact the population health.

Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiopathology

Humans

Middle Aged

Male

Saliva - chemistry

Canada

Hydrocortisone - analysis

Aged, 80 and over

Aging

Brazil

Female

Aged

Health Status

Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiopathology

Stress, Psychological - physiopathology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Cross-country differences in basal and stress-induced cortisol secretion in older adults
Creators: Juliana N Souza-Talarico - Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Pierrich Plusquellec - School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Mental Health Institute of Montréal Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Sonia J Lupien - Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Mental Health Institute of Montréal Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Alexandra Fiocco - Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Deborah Suchecki - Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.9(8), pp.e105968-e105968
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105968
PMID: 25153322
PMCID: PMC4143307
NLM abbreviation: PLoS One
ISSN: 1932-6203
eISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science; United States
Grant note: #165618 / Canadian Institutes of Health Research #232974 / Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Language: English
Date published: 2014
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing
Record Identifier: 9984065374002771

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