Burnout syndrome and risk factors for the development of cardiovascular pathology in coal industry workers suffering from occupational diseases

Abstract

Introduction. Emotional burnout is a condition common among workers in “helping” occupations. The syndrome of emotional burnout among workers of the main occupations of the coal industry has not been studied enough, especially in terms of its relationship with such indicators of mental health as personal, situational anxiety and alexithymia. The relationship between emotional burnout syndrome and risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases has not been sufficiently studied.
 The purpose of the study to investigate the relationship of emotional burnout syndrome with the level of personal, situational anxiety and alexithymia, and the frequency of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as smoking, overweight, arterial hypertension and low physical activity in coal industry workers with occupational diseases.
 Materials and methods. Two hundred seventy-two coal miners with occupational diseases (dust lung pathology, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, vibration disease) were examined using questionnaires by V.V. Boyko, Spielberger-Khanin, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale. According to the survey, the frequency of smoking and low physical activity was determined, the frequency of arterial hypertension and overweight was identified by the results of a clinical examination.
 Results. The prevalence of emotional burnout syndrome was 27.9%. A higher frequency of personal anxiety (61.1%), situational anxiety (57.1%) and alexithymia (94.7%) was revealed in emotional burnout syndrome. The frequency of smoking, arterial hypertension tended to increase with emotional burnout, the frequency of overweight, and low physical activity did not differ.
 Limitations. The study was limited to a sample of 272 coal miners with occupational diseases, examined using questionnaires by V.V. Boyko, Spielberger-Khanin, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale.
 Conclusions. Emotional burnout syndrome is associated with the development of personal and situational anxiety, alexithymia and may be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases.