A Dual Biomarker Approach to Stress: Hair and Salivary Cortisol Measurement in Students via LC-MS/MS.

Stress is a significant issue among students, affecting both their mental and physical health. In this study, we investigated cortisol levels, a key biomarker for stress, in students at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) during their exam period. Using a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methodology we measured cortisol concentrations in hair and saliva samples and explored the potential correlation between exam-induced stress and cortisol levels.