Stress Salivary Biomarkers Variation during the Work Day in Emergencies in Healthcare Professionals.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Pérez-Valdecantos, Daniel Caballero-García, Alberto Del Castillo-Sanz, Teodosia Bello, Hugo J. Roche, Enrique Córdova, Alfredo
Editor	Carboni, Lucia
Copyright Year	2021
Abstract	Objective The work of health professionals in hospital emergency rooms is highly demanding due to the decisions they must take. In the present study, we consider assessing stress response in emergency health workers, measuring related biomarkers such as cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and salivary α-amylase during the whole working day. Method An analytical, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. The study was conducted in the emergency rooms of two public hospitals. Ninety-seven professionals participated, 45 corresponding to one hospital and 52 to the other. Four salivary samples were obtained according to circadian rhythms: at 8:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 00:00 h/24 h. The data were subsequently analyzed. Results Cortisol levels decreased throughout the working day, with minimum values being at 24 h. A similar pattern was observed in DHEA. The α-amylase levels increased throughout the working day, reaching its peak at 15:00 h, and decreasing at 24 h, compared to the data from the rest of the working day. Conclusions Since reference/baseline values are not presented, this work is focused on a stress situation experienced during one regular working day in emergency rooms with no extreme situations. In this context, stress, measured through cortisol and α-amylase, is present in emergency room doctors and nurses. However, the increase in DHEA, due to its anabolic condition, could counteract their effect, suggesting a positive effect on their professional actions.
ISSN	16617827
Journal	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [Int J Environ Res Public Health]
Volume Number	18
DOI	10.3390/ijerph18083937
PubMed Central reference number	PMC8070075
Issue Number	8
PubMed reference number	33918537
e-ISSN	16604601
Language	English
Publisher	Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)
Publisher Date	2021-04-09
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	amylase cortisol DHEA emergencies health professionals stress
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis Pollution Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health