Influence of occupational stress and 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor gene polymorphisms on depression in workers in a thermal power plant

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association of occupational stress and 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptor gene polymorphisms with depression. Methods: In November 2010, cluster sampling was used to select 589 workers in a thermal power plant as study subjects. Questionnaires were used to investigate demographic features and occupational stressors. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect the genotypes of T102C and A-1438G in 5-HT2A receptor gene in 589 workers. Results: High-level daily hassles (OR=3.013, 95%CI 1.642~5.530) , more negative emotion (OR=4.808, 95% CI 2.662~8.681) , more body needs (OR=1.890, 95% CI 1.034~3.453) , and severe role conflict (OR=1.815, 95% CI 1.002~3.288) were risk factors for depression, while high rewards (OR=0.424, 95% CI 0.226~0.796) was the protective factor against depression (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in T102C genotype and allele distributions between the groups with and without depression (P>0.05) ; there was a significant difference in A-1438G genotype distribution between the groups with and without depression (χ2= 9.573, P<0.05) , while there was no significant difference in A-1438G allele distribution between these groups (P>0.05). The risk of depression in the workers with high-level daily hassles who carried TC genotype (OR= 4.473, 95% CI 1.161~17.238) or CC genotype (OR=5.176, 95% CI 1.367~19.593) of T102C was 4.473 and 5.176 times that in those with low-level daily hassles who carried TT genotype, and the risk of depression in the workers with more negative emotions who carried TC genotype (OR=5.667, 95%CI 1.204~26.673) or CC genotype (OR=8.114, 95% CI 1.747~37.677) of T102C was 5.667 and 8.114 times that in those with less negative emotion who carried TT genotype. The risk of depression in the workers with high-level daily hassles who carried AG genotype (OR=4.505, 95% CI 2.215~9.162) or GG genotype (OR=6.484, 95% CI 2.562~ 16.414) of A-1438G was 4.505 and 6.484 times that in those with low-level daily hassles who carried AA genotype, and the risk of depression in the workers with more negative emotion who carried AG genotype (OR= 4.877, 95%CI 2.326~10.223) or GG genotype (OR=9.090, 95%CI 3.491~23.673) of A-1438G was 4.877 and 9.090 times that in those with less negative emotion who carried AA genotype. The risk of depression in the workers with higher rewards who carried AG genotype (OR=0.152, 95%CI 0.074~0.310) or GG genotype (OR= 0.384, 95% CI 0.153~0.964) of A-1438G was 0.152 and 0.384 times that in those with lower rewards who carried AA genotype. Conclusion: Occupational stress is associated with the development of depression and interacts with 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphisms.