Abstract
The impact of gender and cortisol levels on depression following planned surgery was examined in 95 men and women. Patients were assessed prior to surgery and at one and three months following surgery. Higher cortisol levels conferred greater risk for depression at one and three months following surgery. This effect was stronger for men than women at one month following surgery, but did not differ between genders at three months post-surgery. Results support a mechanistic role of HPA alterations in depression following a surgical stressor that differs in strength between men and women.
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