Atypical secretion of cortisol in Nursing professionals

作者：Fernandes Yamaguti Siomara Tavares; Blasques de Mendonca Amanda Roca; Coelho Daniela; Machado Amanda Luiz; de Souza Talarico Juliana Nery^*

来源：Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 2015, 49(spe): 107-114.

DOI：10.1590/S0080-623420150000700016

• Nursing
• Stress
• Psychological
• Hydrocortisone
• Occupational Diseases
• Occupational Health

Objective: To describe the frequency with which nursing staff in hospitals presents an altered diurnal pattern of cortisol secretion. Method: These findings were based on results obtained from 56 randomly selected professional nursing staff working in outpatient clinics, medical clinics, surgical clinics, operating theaters, pediatric and adult emergency units, adult and pediatric intensive care units of a university hospital. The analysis of the diurnal cortisol pattern was based on saliva samples collected over two consecutive working days. Results: 42.5% of these nursing staff members presented an atypical pattern of cortisol secretion. Furthermore, the longer the period of exercising this profession, the higher the cortisol concentration (r=0.346; p=0.020). Conclusion: Over one-third of nursing staff samples displayed atypical cortisol secretion patterns. This suggests that these professionals are exposed, not only to a mental, but also to a biological, overload and thus, to a risk of contracting stress-related illnesses.

• 出版日期2015-2