Objectives: Several studies have reported that the secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) concentration in saliva is an indicator of psychological stress. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between S-IgA and the stress from academic examinations. Methods: S-IgA levels in 10 medical student volunteers from the second year course between May 4 and July 13, 2000 were examined using the ELISA method. Results: There was a tendency for S-IgA in saliva to be higher on the day before academic examinations and during them, and lower on the days between these examinations. Conclusions: It may be possible to use this measurement to monitor psychological stress in students and workers.
Upper case ess ; Immunoglobulin A measurement ; Saliva ; Stress bismuth subsalicylate ; Daily

OBJECTIVESSeveral studies have reported that the secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) concentration in saliva is an indicator of psychological stress. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between S-IgA and the stress from academic examinations.

METHODSS-IgA levels in 10 medical student volunteers from the second year course between May 4 and July 13, 2000 were examined using the ELISA method.

RESULTSThere was a tendency for S-IgA in saliva to be higher on the day before academic examinations and during them, and lower on the days between these examinations.

CONCLUSIONSIt may be possible to use this measurement to monitor psychological stress in students and workers.

BACKGROUND: Research has indicated that early postoperative step counts are below the recommended levels for health-enhancing physical activity after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preoperative individual characteristics, pain, physical function, and psychological factors on early postoperative physical activity, as measured by step counts, in 137 patients scheduled for TKA. METHODS: Patients were preoperatively assessed for individual characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, employment status, smoking and drinking habits, long-term care insurance), pain, range of motion, muscle strength, timed 10-m walk test performance, pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) scores (rumination, helplessness, and magnification), and pain self-efficacy. The daily step count was analyzed 4 weeks postoperatively. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationships between postoperative step counts and individual characteristics, pain, physical function, and psychological factors. RESULTS: Step counts were significantly influenced by preoperative PCS magnification scores (β= -0.31, p= 0.01) and the category of long-term care insurance (β= -0.24, p= 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative evaluation of the long-term care insurance category and PCS magnification score may aid in predicting early postoperative step counts in patients receiving TKA, which may, in turn, improve clinical management during the early stages of treatment.