Salivary alpha amylase levels in youths with anxiety disorders

• No correlation was found between sAA and any anxiety scores of the scales.
• No gender difference was found in the levels of sAA.
• Anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorders, in youths may be associated with increased autonomic activity.

It is suggested that salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) may be a marker of sympathoadrenal medullary system activity. Thus, it can be a possible relationship sAA and anxiety disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate sAA in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and healthy controls. Thirty drug-free youths, aged 8–16 years, who were diagnosed as any anxiety disorders and 36 healthy controls with similar socio-demographic characteristics were included in this study. The sAA was found to be significantly increased in anxiety group compared to control group. However, there was no correlation between sAA and any anxiety scores of the scales. Present study suggested that anxiety disorders in youths may be associated with increased autonomic activity.