The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on Chronic Stress Assessed by Hair Cortisol Analysis via LC-MS/MS

    November 2025 in “ Journal of Laboratory Medicine ”
    Sara Casati, Erika Palmisano, Benedetta Scampini, I Angeli, Roberta F. Bergamaschi, Alessandro Ravelli, Mauro Minoli, Marica Orioli
    TLDR Chronic stress increased after lockdown, especially in young adults and females.
    This study assessed chronic stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic by measuring hair cortisol concentrations in 87 individuals across pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown periods. Using LC-MS/MS, results showed a significant increase in cortisol levels post-lockdown (median 3.68 pg/mg) compared to pre-lockdown (median 2.28 pg/mg) and lockdown (median 3.06 pg/mg) periods. Females and young adults (17–24 years) experienced the most significant increases. The findings indicate a sustained psychological burden post-lockdown, emphasizing the pandemic's lasting impact on mental health and the effectiveness of hair cortisol analysis in chronic stress assessment.
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