Interaction Between Self-Reported Early Puberty Timing And Salivary Cortisol: Association With Depressive Symptoms In Adolescents

ObjectiveTo describe the pubertal development in Ma’anshan,Anhui, examines linking early pubertal development with symptoms in adolescents. Explore the possible role of HPA axis base function in association between early puberty timing and depressive symptoms in adolescence.MethodsData was gathered through questionnaires, physical examination and saliva collected under informed consent among children in grade 2 to grade 5 from three primary school. Information regarding basic information, information of parent, time of screening, physical activity, pubertal development as well as self-reported depressive symptoms was included in the questionnaire. Mood and Feelings Questionnaire-Child was used to assess the depressive symptoms. Participants pubertal timing were assessed by scores of Pubertal Development Scale(PDS). Physical examination include children’s height, weight, waist circumference, body composition. and than body mass index was calculated and used to classify both over weight and obesity, in each gender. To collect saliva at home on a regular school day without stressful or special events(e.g., a school test), without taking medication if possible, and in the absence of menstruation or feelings of illness. Saliva was collected on waking while still in bed. Measured cortisol levels in the laboratory.ResultsData from 1553 subjects were obtained from three primary school(862 boys), the prevalence rates of self-reported early puberty timing among boys and girls were 14.2% and 18.7% respectively, and with gender differences(c2=5.771,P<0.018); boys with depressive symptoms was significantly higher than girls( c 2=21.613, P < 0.001).Research has found that boys who undergo puberty earlier than their same-sex,same-age peers are have higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than no early puberty timing group(c2=15.045,P=<0.001),we found the same results in girls(c2=9.585,P=0.003).In univariate logistic regression model, early puberty timing appeared a risk factor of depressive symptoms in adolescents(odds ratio = 1.907; 95%CI:1.449-2.510). Even after control for confounding factors(boys : odds ratio: 2.326, 95%CI: 1.512-3.576;girls : odds ratio:1.999, 95%CI: 1.188-3.361). However, we didn’t found association between cortisol levels and depressive symptoms(boys: odds ratio =1.001, 95%CI:0.999-1.003; girls:odds ratio = 0.999, 95%CI: 0.997-1.002). Salivary cortisol levels wasn’t a significant moderator as found by cortisol levels *early puberty interaction in general liner model(F=1.528, P=0.217).ConclusionEarly puberty timing group showed high levels of depression symptoms in adolescents, the results of this study suggests that early puberty in adolescents may the risk factors of depression symptoms, However, we didn’t found correlation between cortisol levels and depression symptoms in adolescents, we study assessed the effect of early puberty interacted with cortisol on depressive symptoms and have no found associations, However, further higher quality and longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the association between pubertal timing and cortisol levels as well as the possible mechanism of depression in pubertal adolescents.