Chronic stress is associated with high cortisol levels and emotional coping mechanisms in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between cortisol levels, chronic stress and coping in subjects with amnestic-type mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).


METHODS
Cortisol levels were measured using morning saliva samples from 33 individuals with aMCI and from 41 healthy elderly. Chronic stress was evaluated with the Stress Symptoms List (SSL), whereas coping strategies were assessed using the Jalowiec Coping Scale.


RESULTS
aMCI subjects with high SSL scores presented higher cortisol levels (p = 0.045). Furthermore, aMCI subjects who employed emotion-focused coping had higher SSL scores (p = 0.023).


CONCLUSIONS
The association between increased cortisol secretion, chronic stress and coping strategies may be modulated by the presence or absence of cognitive impairment, where memory defi- cit awareness constitutes an additional potential factor involved in high stress severity.
Souza-Talarico
J N
JN
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Chaves
E C
EC
Nitrini
R
R
Caramelli
P
P
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D000647:Amnesia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology
D006854:Hydrocortisone