Relationship Between Stress Level, Salivary Cortisol Levels, and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio on Post-Covid-19 Syndrome Occurrence

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease that affects multiple organs and presents with various symptoms, including Post-COVID-19 Syndrome, which is characterized by inflammation, immunological dysregulation, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and hypometabolism. Aim and Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stress, salivary cortisol, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical observational study was conducted on COVID-19 patients treated and followed up between May and July 2021 at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya. EZR (Easy R) was used to analyze demographic data, stress levels, salivary cortisol, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and post-COVID-19 Syndrome. The study included 46 participants, with 29 (63%) in the post-COVID-19 Syndrome group and 17 (37%) in the control group. Results and Conclusion: There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, and platelet levels between the two groups (p>0.05). Stress levels and salivary cortisol levels were not significantly correlated with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome on days 0, 3, and 6 (p>0.05). However, the platelet-lymphocyte ratio on days 0, 3, and 6 was significantly correlated with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (p<0.05). The study found a significant correlation between the platelet-lymphocyte ratio and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.