INTRODUCTION: The objective is to analyze the influence of several biological and/or psychological factors on postsurgery recovery. METHOD: Our sample was made up of 42 inpatients waiting for surgery. The day before the intervention, they filled out Spielbergers' State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and sample of saliva was collected at 8:00 in order to determine cortisol concentration. Recovery was codified as <<good>> or <<poor>> using the Moix criteria (1995). RESULTS: Patients with higher scores on the STAI had higher levels of salivary cortisol and their recovery was worse compared with patients with low anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the relationship between specific psychological variables, cortisol levels and the characteristics of the surgery recovery process of the patients.
INTRODUCTION: The objective is to analyze the influence of several biological and/or psychological factors on postsurgery recovery. METHOD: Our sample was made up of 42 inpatients waiting for surgery. The day before the intervention, they filled out Spielbergers' State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and sample of saliva was collected at 8:00 in order to determine cortisol concentration. Recovery was codified as <<good>> or <<poor>> using the Moix criteria (1995). RESULTS:Patients with higher scores on the STAI had higher levels of salivary cortisol and their recovery was worse compared with patients with low anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the relationship between specific psychological variables, cortisol levels and the characteristics of the surgery recovery process of the patients.