Cent Eur J Public Health 2005, 13(1):47-50

The Excretion Rates of Stress Hormones under Mental Work

Vangelova K.

Department of Physiology, Psychology and Ergonomics, National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition, Sofia, Bulgaria

The aim of the study was to assess stress on the basis of the excretion rates of stress hormones in occupational groups under mental stress. The investigation includes 293 persons, working in power engineering, education, public health and information sector. The stress hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and 11-oxycorticosteroids (11-OCS) were followed during the working day using spectrofluorimetric methods. Very high excretion rates of adrenaline, noradrenaline and/or 11-OCS were found with leading radio editors, responsible engineers and operators in nuclear power station (NPS), teachers in secondary schools, designing engineers. In conclusion our data indicate high stress in occupational groups working under high psychological demands, high responsibility, making important managing decisions, low job control and are discussed with regard to the health risk.

Keywords: occupational stress, adrenaline, noradrenaline, 11-oxycorticosteroids, health risk

Received: December 30, 2003; Revised: October 19, 2004; Accepted: October 19, 2004; Published: March 1, 2005  Show citation