Hair cortisol in relation to sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics in a multiethnic US sample

Abstract

PurposeWe investigated the feasibility of obtaining hair samples from men and women at community-based barbershops and hair salons for analysis of cortisol and assessed sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs). A total of 102 participants completed the study. MethodsResearch staff interviewed participants using a structured questionnaire, and samples of hair were collected. HCCs were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Age- and sex-adjusted linear regression models were used to evaluate the association of HCC with covariates. Results:Analyses by race/ethnicity showed highest median HCC in blacks (12.5 [6.9–29.3]) pg/mg) followed by Hispanics (10.7 [5.8–14.9] pg/mg), whites (5.0 [3.8–10.8] pg/mg), and other participants (4.2 [3.3–15.7] pg/mg), P < .01. Current smokers had significantly higher median HCC (11.7 [8.8–18.9] pg/mg) compared with former smokers (4.6 [3.5–14.6] pg/mg) and those who had never smoked (6.9 [4.7–12.8] pg/mg), P = .04. After adjustment for age and sex, geometric mean HCC was 0.72 pg/mg lower in dyed hair compared with hair that was not dyed (β = −0.72, standard error = 0.30, 95% confidence interval, −1.29 to −0.15, P = .02). ConclusionsHCC can be assessed in community-based studies. Future HCC studies should consider cosmetic hair treatment, cigarette smoking, and the potential role of psychosocial stressors in the association between race/ethnicity and HCC.