Table 3.
Significant associations between demographic, clinicopathological, biobehavioral and psychological variables and plasma cortisol levels in OSSC patients.
| Variablea | Median (P-value) | Quartile (P-value) |
|---|---|---|
| Sex (male) | .004 | .047 |
| Education (elementary school) | – | .031 |
| Regional metastasis (N) | .030b | – |
| Pain | .002b | .022b |
| Pain intensity (intense) | .015c | – |
| Smoking | – | .018d |
| Alcohol consumption (current drinker) | .005d | .025d |
| Alcohol intensity (heavy intensity) | .015e | – |
| Anxiety symptoms (BAI) | ||
| “dizzy or lightheaded” | .038b | – |
| “heart pounding/racing” | .018b | – |
| “heart pounding/racing” intensity | .033c | – |
| “hands trembling” | .026b | – |
| “scared” | .046f | – |
| “fear of losing control” | – | .022b |
| Depression symptoms (BDI) | ||
| Depression symptom (yes vs no) | – | .000b |
| “suicide ideation” | – | .047b |
a
The variables' associations with plasma cortisol levels reached statistical significance.
b
Values were measured with the binary measure (yes or no).
c
Values were measured with the severity categories (none, mild, moderate, or intense).
d
Non-smoker/drinker, current smoker/drinker, or ex-smoker/drinker.
e
Light, moderate, or heavy.
f
Little (none and mild), or very (moderate and intense).