Tag: nurses

Outcomes of occupational stressors on nurses: chronic fatigue syndrome–related symptoms

Abstract:

Considering the types and number of occupational stressors involved in caring for patients, nurses may represent a population at high risk for physical illnesses.

A sample of 3400 nurses who belong to a statewide or a national nurses organization were randomly chosen for participation. Of this group, 202 reported 6 months or more of debilitating fatigue and completed a three-page questionnaire assessing symptoms related to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and comorbid medical conditions. This group (N = 202) was mailed a follow-up questionnaire 1 year later that reassessed symptoms of CFS and occupational stressors.

Many sampled nurses reported a high degree of occupationally related stress but did not report CFS symptoms; however, perceived exposure to the threat of an accident as a nurse and poor physical working conditions were significantly related to symptoms reported. These findings are consistent with previous research.

 

Source: Wagner LI, Jason LA. Outcomes of occupational stressors on nurses: chronic fatigue syndrome–related symptoms. Nursingconnections. 1997 Fall;10(3):41-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9397874

 

Short-term night-shift working mimics the pituitary-adrenocortical dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a short period (5 days) of night-shift work affected the pituitary-adrenal responses to CRH. Ten nurses (8 female and 2 male; age 28.1 +/- 1.7 yr: mean +/- SEM) working at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and who regularly undertook periods of night and day shift work were enrolled.

Measurements were made of basal ACTH and cortisol concentrations, and their responses to iv ovine CRH (1 microgram.kg-1). Basal ACTH concentrations were higher during the night shift than during the day shift (12.9 +/- 5.1 pmol.L-1 vs. 4.7 +/- 1.2 pmol.L-1, P < 0.01) whereas cortisol concentrations were lower (551 +/- 48 nmol.L – 1 vs. 871 +/- 132 nmol.L – 1, P < 0.01). After CRH injection, ACTH concentrations remained consistently higher during the night shift, but the integrated increase in ACTH concentration was lower (P < 0.05) than during the day shift. Conversely, the increase in cortisol concentration was greater during the night shift than the day shift (283 +/- 53 nmol.L-1 vs. 134 +/- 41 nmol.L-1, P < 0.05).

We conclude that the pituitary-adrenal responses to CRH are markedly disrupted after only 5 days of nighttime work. These abnormalities mimic those previously observed in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Neuroendocrine abnormalities reported to be characteristic of chronic fatigue syndrome may be merely the consequence of disrupted sleep and social routine.

 

Source: Leese G, Chattington P, Fraser W, Vora J, Edwards R, Williams G. Short-term night-shift working mimics the pituitary-adrenocortical dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996 May;81(5):1867-70. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8626849

 

Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome-related symptoms among nurses

Abstract:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an illness that is characterized by debilitating fatigue and a group of other related symptoms. Few epidemiological studies have been conducted, and none have focused on a nursing population. The present study is the first to assess the prevalence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-related symptoms in a sample of nurses. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, and possible prevalence rates are presented and discussed. When using both narrow and more inclusive criteria to define this symptom complex, higher rates of this disorder were found than in previous epidemiological studies. The implications of these findings are discussed.

 

Source: Jason LA, Taylor SL, Johnson S, Goldston SE, Salina D, Bishop P, Wagner L. Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome-related symptoms among nurses. Eval Health Prof. 1993 Dec;16(4):385-99. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10130552