Allostatic load and canine companionship: a comparative study using biomarkers in older adults
Objective: to compare the biomarkers and the allostatic load levels in a sample of older persons with and without canine companionship. Method: descriptive and comparative study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a fasting blood sample. The allostatic load comprised 11 b...
| Autores: | , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2018 |
| País: | México |
| Institución: | Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila |
| Repositorio: | Redalyc-UADEC |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:redalyc.org:281458425028 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=281458425028 https://www.redalyc.org/journal/2814/281458425028/ https://www.redalyc.org/journal/2814/281458425028/html/ https://www.redalyc.org/journal/2814/281458425028/281458425028.epub https://www.redalyc.org/journal/2814/281458425028/movil |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Medicina Cortisol Old Adult Stressors Biomarkers Allostatic Load |
| Sumario: | Objective: to compare the biomarkers and the allostatic load levels in a sample of older persons with and without canine companionship. Method: descriptive and comparative study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a fasting blood sample. The allostatic load comprised 11 biomarkers that are primary and secondary stress mediators, which arise from the following systems: neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic, cardiovascular and anthropometric. Results: a significant difference was found in two biomarkers: cortisol (t= -3.091, df=104, p=0.003) and total cholesterol (t= -2.566, df=104, p=0.012), in the allostatic load levels between older adults with and without a canine companionship (U= 1714.00, Z= 2.01, p=0.044). By associating the allostatic load level with the canine companionship, there was a higher frequency of older adults with low allostatic load among those who have canine companion, compared with those who do not have canine companionship. (χ2= 3.69, df=1, p= 0.043). Conclusion: canine companionship influences health in a positive way, as the allostatic load is lower in older adults who have a dog as companion, in addition to presenting lower levels of cortisol and total cholesterol. |
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