Salivary Acidity: An Alternatif Biosensor to Asses Level of Stress

Abstract

Stress is a response to physiological, psychological, and behavioral factors that are not specific and is an attempt to adapt. The amount of stress prevalence and disorders of the various systems of the body that occur when stress requires an appropriate indicator or biosensor. This study aims to determine the relationship between stress levels and salivary pH values. This observational analytical research uses a cross-sectional design. The study was conducted with a population of final year students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of X. The number of respondents is 81 students, and they were selected by simple random sampling. Stress levels were measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Score (DASS) 42, while the value of salivary pH was measured by a pH meter. The data obtained were statistically tested by the Spearman correlation test. The results showed the frequency of the normal level (59,26%), mild stress (23,46%), moderate stress (13,58%), severe stress (3,70%), and very severe stress (0%). The average salivary pH of respondents' is 7,18 ± 0,34. Where the average of salivary pH at every level is 7.27 (normal level), 7,10 (mild stress), 6,99 (moderate stress), and 6,93 (severe stress). Based on the results, we conclude there is a significant association between stress levels and salivary pH values (p <0,05). Where the higher stress levels are followed by a decrease in salivary pH values.