OBJECTIVES: Although increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) is caused by stress accelerates collagen degradation, there was no data on the relationship between stress and urinary hydroxyproline (Hyp) and proline (Pro), a good marker of collagen degradation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) and concentrations of urinary Hyp and Pro. METHODS: 97 hospital employees aged 20 to 58 were asked to fill out comprehensive self-administrated questionnaires containing information about their medical history, lifestyle, length of the work year, shit-work and DAS. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was applied to evaluate chronic mental disorders. Urine samples were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with double derivatization for the assay of hydroxyproline and proline. RESULTS: The mean value of Hyp and Pro concenturation in all subjects was 194.1+/-113.4 micromol/g and 568.2+/-310.7 micromol/g. DASS values and urinary Pro concentrations were differentiated by sex (female > male, p < 0.05) and type of job (nurse > others, p < 0.05). In the stepwise multiple linear regressions, urinary Hyp and Pro concentrations were influenced by stress (Adjusted r2 = 0.051) and anxiety and job (Adjusted r2 = 0.199), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that stress and anxiety were correlated with urinary Hyp and Pro concentrations. To identifying a definite correlation, further study in large populations will be needed.
Adult ; Anxiety/*urine ; Depression/*urine ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline/urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Personnel, Hospital/*psychology ; Proline/*urine ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Stress, Psychological/*urine ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility for 17-OHCS, 17-KS, VMA and HVA in urine as indicators of occupational stress identification and evaluation.

METHODS225 policies were investigated by using convenience sampling and cluster sampling methods, occupational stressors, strains, buffer factors and individual factors were measured by questionnaires. The urine 17-OHCS, 17-KS, VMA and HVA level was tested by ELISA and high performance liquid chromatography method respectively.

RESULTSThe urine 17-OHCS level of the groups with high coworker support and job control scores was lower than that of the groups with low score group (P < 0.05), the urine 17-OHCS level of the group with high negative affectivity score was higher than that of the group with low score group (P < 0.05). The urine 17-KS level of the group with high job security score was lower than that of the counterparts (P < 0.05). The urine VMA level of the group with high coworker support score was lower than that of the counterparts (P < 0.05). The urine HVA level of the group with high coping strategy score was lower than that of counterpart (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the job control and respect were the protective factors of urine 17-OHCS level increase (OR = 0.353 and 0.352 respectively), but over-commitment, self-esteem and daily hassles were the risk factors of urine 17-OHCS with level increase (OR = 3.391, 2.439, and 2.584 respectively). The risk of urine 17-KS level increase for the groups high job control and job security scores were respectively 0.387, 0.356 times than that of the counterparts, the risk of urine VMA level increase for the group with high negative affectivity score was 2.643 times than that of the counterparts.

CONCLUSIONThe urine 17-OHCS, 17-KS and VMA level were potential indicators for occupational stress evaluation.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; urine ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; urine ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological ; urine ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

The use of PCs can cause health problems, including musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper limbs. This study was performed to investigate whether using PCs in PC game rooms may induce MSDs of the upper limbs. 284 young male Koreans were included. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to gather information about game room use, perceived subjective stress, and the symptoms related to MSDs. Urinary concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine were measured in spot urine. The symptom prevalence of MSDs of the upper limbs increased according to the increase of the duration of game room use. The intensity of perceived subjective stress showed a significant dose-response relationship with the frequency of MSDs symptoms in neck and shoulder areas. However, the urinary level of catecholamines was not significantly correlated with the symptom prevalence of MSDs in the upper limbs. These findings suggest that using PCs in game rooms produce physical stress on the upper limbs, strong enough to induce MSDs.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Arm ; Catecholamines/*urine ; Dopamine/urine ; Epinephrine/urine ; Human ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/*epidemiology/etiology/urine ; Norepinephrine/urine ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological/complications/*epidemiology/urine ; Video Games/*adverse effects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of self-foot reflexology on stress (perceived stress, urine cortisol level, and serum cortisol level), fatigue, skin temperature and immune response in female undergraduate students. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-post test design. Participants were 60 university students: 30 in the experiment group and 30 in the control group. The period of this study was from April to June 2010. The program was performed for 1 hr a session, three times a week for 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. RESULTS: The results showed that self-foot reflexology was effective in reducing perceived stress and fatigue, and raised skin temperature in female undergraduate students. But cortisol levels and immune response were not statistically significant different. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that self-foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and, in improving skin temperature. Therefore, it is recommended that this be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for in female undergraduate students.
Demography ; Fatigue/*therapy ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/blood/urine ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Massage/*methods ; *Skin Temperature ; Stress, Psychological/*therapy ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a comprehensive smoking cessation program for Korean adolescents. METHOD: The study design was quasi-experimental with one pre and three post-tests. The three posttests were done immediately after, three months later, and six months after the completion of the program. A total of 43 high school students who smoked participated in the study with 22 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group. The smoking cessation program consisted of 9 sessions with content on enhancement of self-efficacy, stress management, correction of distorted thoughts, consciousness raising, and assertiveness training. The study variables were urine cotinine levels, self-efficacy, stress, and stages of changed behavior. RESULTS: Urine cotinine levels significantly decreased in the experimental group after the program (F=3.02, p=.06) but significantly increased in the control group (F=6.32, p=.004). Self-efficacy and the degree of stress did not change in either group. The stages of smoking cessation behavior tended to change when compared with raw data for the experimental group. For most participants, the stages of change had been precontemplation and contemplation, but changed to action and maintenance stage among the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The program was effective in smoking cessation and influencing stages of change but did not change psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy and stress. It is suggested a program should be developed to change psychosocial variables on a long-term basis. It is also desirable to involve peers and families of adolescents who smoke when planning programs to enhance social support.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; Adolescent Health Services/*organization & administration ; Adolescent Psychology ; Analysis of Variance ; Attitude to Health ; Cotinine/urine ; Educational Status ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Korea ; Longitudinal Studies ; Needs Assessment ; Patient Education as Topic/*organization & administration ; Personality Inventory ; Program Development ; Program Evaluation ; Questionnaires ; School Health Services/*organization & administration ; Self Efficacy ; Smoking/*prevention & control/psychology/urine ; Smoking Cessation/*methods/psychology ; Stress, Psychological/complications/psychology