Demographic, clinical characteristics and psychosocial factors associated with salivary cortisol as a stress biomarker in children with leukemia

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship among demographic, clinical characteristics, and psychosocial factors related to salivary cortisol in children with leukemia. Methods: This research was a descriptive study with a cross-sectional design. The sample was children with leukemia in Dr. Sardjito General Hospital Yogyakarta from January to February 2018 The sample size was 30 respondents who had met the inclusion criteria, was aged 6-18 years, did not experience an emergency condition, and did not eat and drink 30 minutes before the saliva sample was taken. Salivary samples were assessed for free cortisol levels using an ELISA kit 96 wells DES661.