Professional stress and inflammatory markers in physicians.
Laura Poantă1, Alexandra Crăciun, D L Dumitraşcu
1Department of Internal Medicine, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. laurapoanta@yahoo.com
Summary
Physician stress is linked to inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk. This study found gender differences in stress perception and correlations between depression, cortisol, and inflammatory markers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
Background:
- Societal changes may increase physician stress perception.
- Professional stress is increasingly linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk via biological pathways.
- The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) is a validated tool for assessing job psychosocial characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between professional stress (using JCQ) and bioumoral markers, including cortisol, in physicians.
- To investigate potential gender differences in stress perception and its physiological markers.
- To explore the relationship between stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Methods:
- 118 healthy physicians (30-60 years) from Cluj county participated.
- Biomarkers measured: total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, fibrinogen, high sensitivity-CRP (hs-CRP), and serum cortisol.
- Data analyzed using means, standard deviations, and validity coefficients; cortisol measured in the morning.
Main Results:
- Abnormal levels detected: 12% fasting glucose, 26% total cholesterol, 8% triglycerides, 6% HDL-cholesterol, 24% fibrinogen, 14% hs-CRP, 20% morning cortisol.
- Low coworker support impacted men more than women.
- Positive correlations found between depression and serum cortisol in both genders and the total group.
Conclusions:
- Professional stress is associated with inflammation, potentially mediating cardiovascular disease risk.
- Gender differences in stress perception exist and warrant consideration in healthcare.
- The study highlights the complex interplay between occupational stress, psychological factors, and physiological markers in physicians.
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