Job burnout, cognitive functioning, and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression among hospital Mexican nurses

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Occupational Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Burnout syndrome is a prevalent issue among healthcare professionals, particularly nurses.
• Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (sBDNF) plays a crucial role in neuronal plasticity and cognitive function.
• Cognitive impairments can significantly impact patient care and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between burnout syndrome, cognitive functions, and sBDNF levels in Mexican nurses.
• To identify sociodemographic and working conditions associated with burnout in this population.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with staff nurses in Guanajuato, México.
• Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).
• sBDNF levels were measured via ELISA, and cognitive functions were evaluated using the General Cognitive Assessment (CAB) battery.

Main Results:

• Burnout syndrome in nurses was associated with specific sociodemographic characteristics and working conditions.
• Nurses experiencing burnout exhibited significantly lower sBDNF levels and a negative correlation between sBDNF and burnout.
• Burnout was linked to cognitive impairments in reasoning, memory, and attention, with a positive correlation between sBDNF and cognitive deficits.

Conclusions:

• Reduced sBDNF levels may serve as a biological indicator or be part of the pathological process of burnout, affecting cognitive abilities.
• Cognitive deficits in nurses due to burnout have critical implications for patient care, necessitating targeted preventive strategies.