Hair cortisol measurement in older adults: Influence of demographic and physiological factors and correlation with perceived stress.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate correlation between hair cortisol levels and perceived stress scale (PSS) in addition to a range of demographic and physiological factors in a sample of older adults.

Experimental: Hair cortisol concentrations were established from 42 older adults aged between 60 and 80 years old. Age, sex, hair colour, smoking status, employment status, daytime sleeping, medication, waist to hip ratio (WHR) and PSS scores were assessed through a questionnaire.