Effects of Occupational Stress on the Activation of Hemostatic and Inflammatory System

Abstract

SUMMARYA 24-hour shift is one of the major stressors for physicians because, apart from causing fatigue and circadian rhythm disorders, it often requires making vital decisions for patients within a short time frame. It is known that workplace stress leads to the activation of the coagulation system, which can result in imbalance of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system. The state of stress can also generate proinflammatory mediators. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 24-hour shift on global coagulation tests of D-dimers and fibrinolysis, and on C-reactive protein (CRP) as an acute inflammatory agent and proatherosclerotic factor. Sixty physicians (residents) aged 25-35 participated in this study (30 participants in the experimental group and 30 participants in the control group). In experimental group, blood samples were collected on three occasions: shortly before 24-hour shift, twelve hours after the shift had begun, and at the end of the shift. Blood samples were collected from control group participants at the same time points. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the values of D-dimer and fibrinolysis between the experimental and control groups. CRP values were statistically significantly higher in the experimental (1.57, 1.49 and 1.50) than in the control group (0.79, 0.75 and 0.84) on all three measurements (p=0.024, p=0.020 and p=0.030, respectively). These results confirmed the existence of proinflammatory changes in the endothelium of blood vessels, which is a factor associated with accelerated atherosclerosis.

Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds: Implications for Lipid Metabolism, Immune System, and Obesity

“…It is possible that the unusually high amount of PCs included in the OO consumption sustained for three weeks could be responsible for the unexpected effect in CRP. CRP levels have also been shown to raise when circadian rhythm is altered [136], in type-2 diabetes [137], and with dietary habits or fast/fed status [138], factors that might have contributed to the observed increase in CRP. Another randomized controlled trial which tested an OOPC-enriched VOO in pre-/hypertensive individuals in a postprandial situation, demonstrated that this treatment improved proinflammatory biomarkers such as VCAM-1 and PAI-1.…”

The Impact of Shift Work on the Metabolism and Circadian Rhythm in Nurses and Medical Technicians

“…In our study, a strong correlation was found in the rate of sleep disturbances between morning shift workers and those participants working a rotating shift system. Shift working nurses find it stressful to deal with the combination of family-home environment, their responsibilities in caring for children, and night shifts 27 . Night shift after full day work at home does not allow sufficient time for rest and sleep, and our study found that shift work nurses more frequently used sleeping pills, which is consistent with the results of other studies [24][25][26] .…”

Shift Work as a Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor: A Narrative Review

“…These inflammatory markers were attributed to increased job strain within this cohort which demonstrates the importance of decreased rest and increased physical inactivity as stressors on shift work-driven inflammation. A more recent experimental study looked at 60 resident physicians aged 25-35 working 24-hour shifts [ 39 ]. CRP was measured via phlebotomy and found to be significantly greater in individuals after a 24-hour shift compared to those after an eight-hour working shift (1.57 mg/L vs. 0.79 mg/L) (p = 0.024).…”