Abstract
Background: The effect of exam stress on serum cortisol, leptin, CRP, IL-6, and vitamins (C, E) levels among postgraduate students and their impact on academic performance was assayed. Methods: Fifty-two Minia University postgraduate nursing students were involved in this study. Stress was measured by the Kessler 10 Psychological Distress instrument (K10). Sera leptin, cortisol, Vitamins (C, E), CRP, TAC and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed for each subject twice, the first time was one month before the exam date and the second time was one hour before the exam time. Results: The stress percentage increased from 51.9 % to 82.7% at the exam day. Exam stress caused an increase in cortisol, leptin and MDA levels and a decrease in vitamin C and TAC levels. Conclusion: The academic performance was better in mild and moderate stresses and the most contributing variables were leptin levels, TAC levels, and IL-6 levels. Exam stress caused an increase in leptin and cortisol levels and a decrease in vitamin C and TAC levels. Vitamin C by its correlation to cortisol may decrease stress response anxiety and improve academic performance.
Key words: academic performance, stress, cortisol, leptin, Vitamins, postgraduate students, Minia