Objectives : This study was conducted to determine the
appropriate sampling time of the salivary stress markers,
chromogranin A (CgA) and cortisol as objective indices of
job stress assessment in adult females.
Methods : The subjects were 20~39-year-old women (13
office workers, 11 sales-service workers, and 11 college
students) who were eligible for the study and free of acute
and chronic medical conditions. Salivary CgA and cortisol
levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Saliva samples were collected (2 ㎖ each)
at 7:00, 8:00, 10:30, 12:00, 17:30, and 22:30 on a typical
day. Salivary CgA and cortisol levels, according to
sampling time, were compared among the three groups
using general linear model. The full version of the Korean
Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), which includes
socioeconomic characteristics, health behavior, workrelated
characteristics, and BMI, was used to access the
subjects job stress. Multiple regression analysis of the job
stressors identified by the KOSS was performed on salivary
CgA and cortisol levels.
Results : The salivary CgA level peaked at 7:00 (time of
awakening), then decreased and were maintained at a low
level throughout the day, and increased slightly at 17:30.
The salivary cortisol level increased steeply within the 1st
hour after awakening, followed by a gradual decrease by
12:00, and was then maintained at a low level throughout
the day. The salivary cortisol levels of subjects who worked
5 days per week and graduated from the university were
significantly lower at 8:00 (p=0.006). The salivary cortisol
levels of non-smokers were significantly lower at 7:00
(p=0.040) and 8:00 (p=0.003) compared to smokers. There
were no significant differences in salivary CgA and cortisol
levels at 10:30 and 12:00 in general characteristics. The
regression coefficients on salivary CgA level were
significant with interpersonal conflict at 17:30 and job
insecurity at 22:30. Regression coefficients on salivary
cortisol level were significant with organizational system
and total job stressors at 17:30.
Conclusions : We suggest that the appropriate sampling
times for the salivary stress markers, CgA and cortisol, are
at 7:00 (time of awakening), 8:00 (1 hour after awakening),
17:30 (early evening), and 22:30 (before sleep).
Objectives : This study was conducted to determine the
appropriate sampling time of the salivary stress markers,
chromogranin A (CgA) and cortisol as objective indices of
job stress assessment in adult females.
Methods : The subjects were 20~39-year-old women (13
office workers, 11 sales-service workers, and 11 college
students) who were eligible for the study and free of acute
and chronic medical conditions. Salivary CgA and cortisol
levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Saliva samples were collected (2 ㎖ each)
at 7:00, 8:00, 10:30, 12:00, 17:30, and 22:30 on a typical
day. Salivary CgA and cortisol levels, according to
sampling time, were compared among the three groups
using general linear model. The full version of the Korean
Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), which includes
socioeconomic characteristics, health behavior, workrelated
characteristics, and BMI, was used to access the
subjects job stress. Multiple regression analysis of the job
stressors identified by the KOSS was performed on salivary
CgA and cortisol levels.
Results : The salivary CgA level peaked at 7:00 (time of
awakening), then decreased and were maintained at a low
level throughout the day, and increased slightly at 17:30.
The salivary cortisol level increased steeply within the 1st
hour after awakening, followed by a gradual decrease by
12:00, and was then maintained at a low level throughout
the day. The salivary cortisol levels of subjects who worked
5 days per week and graduated from the university were
significantly lower at 8:00 (p=0.006). The salivary cortisol
levels of non-smokers were significantly lower at 7:00
(p=0.040) and 8:00 (p=0.003) compared to smokers. There
were no significant differences in salivary CgA and cortisol
levels at 10:30 and 12:00 in general characteristics. The
regression coefficients on salivary CgA level were
significant with interpersonal conflict at 17:30 and job
insecurity at 22:30. Regression coefficients on salivary
cortisol level were significant with organizational system
and total job stressors at 17:30.
Conclusions : We suggest that the appropriate sampling
times for the salivary stress markers, CgA and cortisol, are
at 7:00 (time of awakening), 8:00 (1 hour after awakening),
17:30 (early evening), and 22:30 (before sleep).