Determination of appropriate sampling time for job stress assessment: the salivary chromogranin A and cortisol in adult females.
OBJECTIVE
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 approximately 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 ml 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, work-related 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 < or = 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).
Hong
Ran Hi
RH
Department of Preventive Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Korea.
Yang
Yun Jung
YJ
Kim
Sang Yon
SY
Lee
Won Young
WY
Hong
Yeon Pyo
YP
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D053379:Chromogranin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007723:Korea; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D053379:Chromogranin A; D006854:Hydrocortisone