Occupation and Psychophysiological Status of the Male Population of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area

Abstract

Introduction: The progressively growing road traffic intensity leads to a steady increase in the informational, emotional and psychological burden in drivers. Truck drivers are exposed to numerous occupational risk factors, including hard labor, constant psychological stress, vibration, noise, a fixed working position, poor visibility, and excess concentrations of noxious gases, all affecting their psychophysiological status. Objective: To study the relationship between professional work and characteristics of the psychophysiological status of the male population of the northern region and to establish the presence and strength of correlations between their elemental and psychoemotional status. Materials and methods: We assessed the psychoemotional status of 182 men aged 32.6 ± 6.2 years, including 94 truck drivers and 88 office workers, living in three northern cities of the Russian Federation. We also established their blood and urinary levels of catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) using enzyme immunoassay and measured hair magnesium and potassium levels using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: We observed that the professional drivers of the northern region were more susceptible to psychological stress (p = 0.042…0.001), had higher levels of stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) in blood (p = 0.049…0.005) and urine (p = 0.004…0.003), but lower hair levels of magnesium and potassium, the trace elements essential for mental health (p = 0.004…0.003), than male office workers. The correlation analysis of the above parameters proved that psychological stress of the truck drivers was attributed to magnesium and potassium deficiency (r = -0.475…—0.601) and a high level of stress hormones (r = –0.514…–0.828). Conclusion: In order to stabilize emotional and psychological status and to improve the performance, physical health, and the quality of life of professional drivers, it is important to correct their micronutrient status using multivitamin/multimineral supplements and enriched foods.