Salivary cortisol, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and general health in the acute phase and during 9-month follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Because traumatic events are unpredictable, there are few studies of psychobiological states immediately following such events. Our study aimed to determine the relation of salivary cortisol to psychologic distress immediately after a traumatic event and then during follow-up.


METHODS
Measurement of morning and evening salivary cortisol and ratings of psychologic distress (using the Impact of Events Scale [IES], the Post Traumatic Symptom Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire) were performed with 31 United Nations soldiers at three time points--5 days and 2 and 9 months--following a mine accident in Lebanon.


RESULTS
Five days after the accident, 15 subjects reported substantial posttraumatic distress according to the IES, as well as significantly lower morning and higher evening cortisol levels compared with the low-impact group. Within 9 months, the posttraumatic distress of the high-impact group was reduced, accompanied by an increase in morning and a decrease in evening cortisol levels. There were significant relationships between evening cortisol and all rating scales at the first and third time points.


CONCLUSIONS
Subclinical posttraumatic stress following an adverse event can be measured biologically via salivary cortisol levels soon after the event.
Aardal-Eriksson
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Department of Biomedicine and Surgery, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Linköping University Hospital, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
Eriksson
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Thorell
L H
LH
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018635:Rescue Work; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000078329:Workforce
D006854:Hydrocortisone