Allostatic load and canine companionship

a comparative study using biomarkers in older adults

Authors

  • Alejandro Morales-Jinez Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Escuela de Licenciatura en Enfermería https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2463-7482
  • Francisco J. López-Rincón Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Escuela de Licenciatura en Enfermería
  • Alicia Ugarte-Esquivel Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Escuela de Licenciatura en Enfermería
  • Irma Andrade-Valles Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Escuela de Licenciatura en Enfermería
  • Luz Elena Rodríguez-Mejía Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Escuela de Licenciatura en Enfermería
  • José Luis Hernández-Torres Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Escuela de Licenciatura en Enfermería

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2755.3071

Keywords:

Old Adult, Canine Accompaniment, Allostatic Load, Biomarkers, Cortisol, Stressors

Abstract

Objective: to compare the biomarkers and the allostatic load levels in a sample of older persons with and without canine companionship. Method: descriptive and comparative study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a fasting blood sample. The allostatic load comprised 11 biomarkers that are primary and secondary stress mediators, which arise from the following systems: neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic, cardiovascular and anthropometric. Results: a significant difference was found in two biomarkers: cortisol (t= -3.091, df=104, p=0.003) and total cholesterol (t= -2.566, df=104, p=0.012), in the allostatic load levels between older adults with and without a canine companionship (U= 1714.00, Z= 2.01, p=0.044). By associating the allostatic load level with the canine companionship, there was a higher frequency of older adults with low allostatic load among those who have canine companion, compared with those who do not have canine companionship. (c2= 3.69, df=1, p= 0.043). Conclusion: canine companionship influences health in a positive way, as the allostatic load is lower in older adults who have a dog as companion, in addition to presenting lower levels of cortisol and total cholesterol

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Published

2019-03-26

Issue

Vol. 26 (2018)

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Allostatic load and canine companionship: a comparative study using biomarkers in older adults. (2019). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 26, e3071. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2755.3071