Effect of Perceived Stress on the Differential Leucocyte Count among Young Adults

Abstract

Exposure to any form of stress causes an increase in ACTH secretion by the anterior pituitary, followedby increased secretion of Cortisol, which decreases eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes in blood andincreases the number of neutrophils.With the above background, the present study was carried out todetermine the changes brought on by perceived stress in the leukocyte profile of young adults.37 healthy,young adults participated in the study. Perceived stress was measured using the 10-item Perceived StressScale (PSS-10) and leukocyte profile was studied by performing a differential leukocyte count.A positivecorrelation was found between PSS score and percentage of neutrophils, monocytes and N:L ratio. A negativecorrelation was found between PSS score and percentage of lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils.Stressidentification and management is an important component in the welfare of young adults. Differential countof leukocytes can provide a reliable method to study the response to stress.