Statistical analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for
the Social Sciences (SPSS version 26, IBM Inc., Armonk, NY, USA). The
original HCC values were both divided into quintiles and also
transformed into logarithm values. The associations between
sociodemographic variables and parity as well as use of medications were
tested by Pearson’s chi2-test. The medians of the
original values were used as measures of central tendency and variation,
respectively. Due to the non-normal distribution of the original HCC
values, Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used when determining
whether cortisol levels were correlated with possible confounding
variables. Multivariate linear regression analyses were based on
logarithm-transformed values and were made to assess possible
associations among the nine HCC measurements for each participant. A
p-value p < 0.05 (two-sided) was considered statistically
significant.