Changes in Hair Cortisol Levels and Cognitive Function among Older Patients in Palliative Care

This monocentric pilot study aimed to assess whether there are significant changes in hair cortisol levels and cognitive functioning at baseline and after 3 weeks of hospitalisation in older palliative care patients, and to ascertain whether hair cortisol can be used as a pertinent stress biomarker in this population. Hair cortisol concentration levels were measured with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while cognitive functions were assessed by using 16-point Mini-Mental State Examination 2 (MMSE-2): brief version. A statistically significant difference in mean hair cortisol levels at the start of the hospitalisation was found when compared to the 3-week follow-up (p=0.007). No statistically significant differences were observed regarding MMSE-2 scores using the same time points. These results have direct clinical implications and set the stage for further research endeavours in the field.