Table 2.
Descriptive statistics for cortisol
| Between Diagnostic Group (ASD vs. TD) | ||||
|
| ||||
| Time of Collection | ASD mean (SD) | TD mean (SD) | p | η2 |
|
| ||||
| Morning 1 | 0.33 (0.25) | 0.34 (0.26) | 0.82 | 0.001 |
| Morning 2 | 0.44 (0.31) | 0.48 (0.19) | 0.45 | 0.01 |
| Afternoon | −0.05 (0.32) | −0.10 (0.28) | 0.42 | 0.01 |
| Evening* | −0.60 (0.40) | −0.81 (0.41) | 0.01 | 0.06 |
| CAR (M2-M1) | 0.10 (0.32) | 0.11 (0.26) | 0.79 | 0.001 |
| AUC | 3.12 (0.19) | 3.08 (0.19) | 0.27 | 0.01 |
| Peak-to-Trough* | 1.11 (0.44) | 1.32 (0.38) | 0.01 | 0.06 |
|
| ||||
| Within ASD Group (Child with ASD vs. Adolescent ASD) | ||||
|
| ||||
| Time of Collection | ASD Child mean (SD) | ASD Adolescent mean (SD) | p | η2 |
|
| ||||
| Morning 1* | 0.39 (0.20) | 0.25 (0.29) | 0.03 | 0.08 |
| Morning 2 | 0.48 (0.29) | 0.38 (0.33) | 0.27 | 0.02 |
| Afternoon | −0.10 (0.35) | 0.02 (0.28) | 0.14 | 0.04 |
| Evening* | −0.69 (0.43) | −0.47 (0.32) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| CAR (M2-M1) | 0.08 (0.36) | 0.12 (0.28) | 0.66 | 0.003 |
| AUC | 3.10 (0.21) | 3.13 (0.16) | 0.55 | 0.01 |
| Peak-to-Trough* | 1.25 (0.41) | 0.93 (0.43) | 0.01 | 0.13 |
Values represent log-transformed cortisol in ng/ml. ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder; TD, Typically Developing; CAR, Cortisol Awakening Response; AUC, Area under the Curve
*
p<0.05