Influence of the grade of anxiety and level of cortisol on post-surgical recovery

Authors

  • M. I. Ramos Departamento de Farmacología y Psiquiatría
  • M. J. Cardoso Departamento de Farmacología y Psiquiatría
  • F. Vaz Departamento de Farmacología y Psiquiatría
  • M. D. Torres Departamento de Fisiología Facultad de Medicina UEx Badajoz. Spain
  • F. García Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina SES Badajoz. Spain
  • G. Blanco Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina SES Badajoz. Spain
  • E. M. González Centro de Salud Ciudad Jardín SES Badajoz. Spain

Keywords:

Anxiety, Cortisol, Stress, Psychobiology, Surgical recovery

Abstract

Introduction. The objective is to analyze the influence of several biological and/or psychological factors on postsurgery recovery.

Method. Our sample was made up of 42 inpatients waiting for surgery. The day before the intervention, they filled out Spielbergers’ State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a sample of saliva was collected at 8:00 in order to determine cortisol concentration. Recovery was codified as «good» or «poor» using the Moix criteria (1995).

Results. Patients with higher scores on the STAI had higher levels of salivary cortisol and their recovery was worse compared with patients with low anxiety.

Conclusions. Our results confirm the relationship between specific psychological variables, cortisol levels and the characteristics of the surgery recovery process of the patients.

 

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Published

2008-05-01

How to Cite

Ramos, M. I., et al. “Influence of the Grade of Anxiety and Level of Cortisol on Post-Surgical Recovery”. Actas Españolas De Psiquiatría, vol. 36, no. 3, May 2008, pp. 133-7, https://actaspsiquiatria.es/index.php/actas/article/view/72.

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 3 (2008)

Section

Original