Effect of Academic Stress on Physiological and Biochemical Parameters among Medical Students

Abstract

Objective
The primary aim of this study was to understand the effects of a stressed academic
environment in medical students through evaluating different physical and biochemical
parameters.
Methodology
This study is longitudinal and based on a convenient sampling method, including 50 volunteer
medical students of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad with mean age 21-25yrs (24±1) in both
stressed and unstressed states. Physical and biochemical parameters were evaluated by measuring
serum Cortisol and plasma Serotonin levels by using ELISA kits. Data were analyzed by using SPSS-
22.
Results
Results showed an insignificant difference of Serum Cortisol (6.6±4.2ug/dl) in stressed and
(7.0±4.7ug/dl) unstressed states with (p=0.72). , plasma serotonin values in stressed
(149±140ng/ml) and unstressed (125±108ng/ml) with (p =.47) Parameters like blood pressure (both
systolic and diastolic) with a p-value of <.01 showed significant difference during the examination.
However, other variables like Age, Height, Weight, BMI (p= .946), Heart Rate (p= .149) showed no
significant difference.
Conclusion
The study concludes that little to moderate levels of changes of serum cholesterol and plasma
serotonin values may occur due to the academic pressure on students, which can affect their
professional capabilities
Key words
Academic stress, Body Mass Index, Serum Cortisol, Plasma Serotonin, ELISA