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Glucose as a Biomarker for Stress in Firefighters
Micah Stratton1, Gregory J Stoddard2, Kahlil Monje3
1From the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (M.S., A.P., M.S.T.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Objective:
This study aims to assess glucose as a biomarker for the sympathetic stress response in firefighters.
Methods:
Fifteen professional firefighters wore continuous glucometers over a 12-day period. We observed glucose levels during on-duty emergency calls and off-duty stressful events. Perceived stress levels were reported, and metabolic confounders (food and drink intake) were recorded.
Results:
Glucose both increased and decreased during stressful events, with 39% of on-duty glucose decreases being associated with physically demanding tasks. The magnitude of glucose change was affected by perceived stress and duration of emergency calls. Stressful events happened 5.43 times (95% CI, 4.31-6.85) more often on-duty. On-duty fasting glucose values varied significantly from off-duty fasting glucose values.
Conclusions:
Our findings shed light on the relationship between occupational stress and high prevalence of stress-related health conditions in firefighters.
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