DYNAMICS OF STRESS-RELATED DECREASE OF SALIVARY IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A (SIGA) - RELATIONSHIP TO SYMPTOMS OF THE COMMON COLD AND STUDYING BEHAVIOR

The dynamics of stress-related decrease of salivary Immunoglobulin A ( sIgA) were examined with respect to whether an increase of upper respi ratory tract (URT) symptoms can be observed concurrently with or subse quent to sIgA alterations and whether one can use students' studying b ehavior during academic examinations to predict changes in sIgA. From a 2-part medical examinations to predict changes in sIgA. From a 2-par t medical examination of 42 students, daily measures of sIgA were obta ined, and symptoms of URT infections and studying behavior were determ ined by means of questionnaires. Assessment periods began 7 days befor e each part of the academic examination began and lasted until the 6th day afterward. A control group of 24 medical students who were not un dergoing examinations also responded to all questionnaires. A progress ive suppression of sIgA, outlasting the examination period by more tha n 6 days, was observed. Time spent studying explained a significant pr oportion in sIgA variation, nor did students who took between sIgA and URT symptoms was observed, nor did students who took academic examina tions differ from untested controls in symptom rates.