What are the Challenges in Studying Cortisol in Epidemiology?
Studying cortisol in epidemiology presents several challenges. One major challenge is the diurnal variation of cortisol levels, which follow a daily rhythm with peak levels in the morning and lower levels in the evening. This necessitates multiple samples throughout the day to get an accurate assessment. Additionally, factors such as individual variability, environmental influences, and the invasive nature of some sampling methods can complicate data collection and interpretation.
