OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between emotion and plasma fibrinogen level in train crew.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in 350 male workers of passenger car, freight car, shunting locomotive for passenger service, and high-speed car from a locomotive depot. The factors involved in this study were as follows: common factors including educational level, physical exercise, smoking, drinking, and physical environment, emotional/characteristic factors including sleep quality, depression, and coping strategies, and working -related factors including effort -reward imbalance, working age, responsibility for people, responsibility for work, intragroup conflicts, and intergroup conflicts. Variables were measured with common rating scales at home and abroad. Plasma fibrinogen level was determined by immunological turbidimetry. The Spearman rank correlation test and multiple stepwise regression were used to analyse the influential factors for fibrinogen level. The original concentration of fibrinogen was subjected to logarithmic transformation in statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe Spearman rank correlation test showed that plasma fibrinogen level was significantly correlated with age(r = 0.228, P = 0.001), working age(r = 0.231, P = 0.001), and emotion (r = -0.138, P = 0.016), but showed no significant relationship with other variables (P > 0.05). The multiple stepwise regression with fibrinogen level as a dependent variable was performed in four models. Model 1 showed that emotion and age were included in the regression after adjustment for common factors (P < 0.05). Model 2 also showed inclusion of emotion and age in the regression after adjustment for common factors and occupational stress factors (P < 0.05). Model 3 showed inclusion of emotion in the regression after adjustment for common factors, occupational stress factors, and psychological factors (P < 0.05). Model 4 showed inclusion of emotion and age after adjustment for common factors, occupational stress factors, psychological factors, and relief factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe emotion of train crew is correlated with plasma fibrinogen level.