Overload Stress Research Articles

All around suboptimal health \u2014 a joint position paper of the Suboptimal Health Study Consortium and European Association for Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine

First two decades of the twenty-first century are characterised by epidemics of non-communicable diseases such as many hundreds of millions of patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and the type 2 diabetes mellitus, breast, lung, liver and prostate malignancies, neurological, sleep, mood and eye disorders, amongst others. Consequent socio-economic burden is tremendous. Unprecedented decrease in age of maladaptive individuals has been reported. The absolute majority of expanding non-communicable disorders carry a chronic character, over a couple of years progressing from reversible suboptimal health conditions to irreversible severe pathologies and cascading collateral complications. The time-frame between onset of SHS and clinical manifestation of associated disorders is the operational area for an application of reliable risk assessment tools and predictive diagnostics followed by the cost-effective targeted prevention and treatments tailored to the person.This article demonstrates advanced strategies in bio/medical sciences and healthcare focused on suboptimal health conditions in the frame-work of Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine (3PM/PPPM). Potential benefits in healthcare systems and for society at large include but are not restricted to an improved life-quality of major populations and socio-economical groups, advanced professionalism of healthcare-givers and sustainable healthcare economy. Amongst others, following medical areas are proposed to strongly benefit from PPPM strategies applied to the identification and treatment of suboptimal health conditions:Stress overload associated pathologiesMale and female healthPlanned pregnanciesPeriodontal healthEye disordersInflammatory disorders, wound healing and pain management with associated complicationsMetabolic disorders and suboptimal body weightCardiovascular pathologiesCancersStroke, particularly of unknown aetiology and in young individualsSleep medicineSports medicineImproved individual outcomes under pandemic conditions such as COVID-19.

Liraglutide Alleviates Cognitive Deficit in db/db Mice: Involvement in Oxidative Stress, Iron Overload, and Ferroptosis.

Studies have shown that diabetes is associated with the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. However, there is currently no effective treatment for diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction. The superior efficacy of liraglutide (LIRA) for cognitive impairment and numerous neurodegenerative diseases has been widely demonstrated. This study determined the effects of LIRA on diabetic cognitive impairment and on the levels of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, iron metabolism and ferroptosis in the hippocampus. Mice were injected daily with liraglutide (200μg/kg/d) for 5weeks. LIRA could repair damaged neurons and synapses, and it increased the protein expression levels of PSD 95, SYN, and BDNF. Furthermore, LIRA significantly decreased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation levels by downregulating the production of ROS and MDA and upregulating SOD and GSH-Px in the serum and hippocampus, and the upregulation of SOD2 expression was also proven. The decreased levels of TfR1 and the upregulation of FPN1 and FTH proteins observed in the LIRA-treated db/db group were shown to reduce iron overload in the hippocampus, whereas the increased expression of Mtft and decreased expression of Mfrn in the mitochondria indicated that mitochondrial iron overload was ameliorated. Finally, LIRA was shown to prevent ferroptosis in the hippocampus by elevating the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 and suppressing the excessive amount of ACSL4; simultaneously, the damage to the mitochondria observed by TEM was also repaired. For the first time, we proved in the T2DM model that ferroptosis occurs in the hippocampus, which may play a role in diabetic cognitive impairment. LIRA can reduce oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and iron overload in diabetic cognitive disorders and further inhibit ferroptosis, thereby weakening the damage to hippocampal neurons and synaptic plasticity and ultimately restoring cognitive function.

New insights into the roles of glucocorticoid signaling dysregulation in pathological cardiac hypertrophy

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a process of abnormal remodeling of the myocardium in response to stress overload or ischemia that results in myocardial injury, which is an independent risk factor for the increased morbidity and mortality of heart failure. Elevated circulating glucocorticoids (GCs) levels are associated with an increased risk of pathological cardiac hypertrophy, but the exact role remains unclear. In the heart, GCs exerts physiological and pharmacological effects by binding the glucocorticoid receptor (GR, NR3C1). However, under the state of tissue damage or oxidative stress, GCs can also bind the closely related mineralocorticoid receptor (MR, NR3C2) to exert a detrimental effect on cardiac function. In addition, the bioavailability of GCs at the cellular level is mainly regulated by tissue-specific metabolic enzymes 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSDs), including 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) and type 2 (11β-HSD2), which catalyze the interconversion of active GCs. In this paper, we provide an overview of GC signaling and its physiological roles in the heart and highlight the dynamic and diverse roles of GC signaling dysregulation, mediated by excessive ligand GCs levels, GR/MR deficiency or overexpression, and local GCs metabolic disorder by 11β-HSDs, in the pathology of cardiac hypertrophy. Our findings will provide new ideas and insights for the search for appropriate intervention targets for pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

Inhibition of RhoA/MRTF-A signaling alleviates nucleus pulposus fibrosis induced by mechanical stress overload

ABSTRACT Purpose/Aim : Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the leading cause of lower back pain, and clinically useful drugs for IDD are unavailable. Mechanical stress overload-induced fibrosis plays a critical role in IDD. RhoA/MRTF-A signaling is known to regulate tissue fibrosis; however, the effect of RhoA/MRTF-A on the development of IDD is unclear. Materials and methods : The expression of aggrecan, collagen I, collagen II, MMP-12, CTGF, and MRTF-A in nucleus pulposus (NP) samples from IDD patients and controls was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Primary nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were isolated and cultured to establish an overload strain model treated with or without CCG-1423. The protein levels of RhoA, ROCK2, MRTF-A, CTGF, and MMP-12 as well as fibrosis-associated proteins were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results : Collagen I, MMP-12, and CTGF were significantly upregulated, and aggrecan and collagen II were significantly downregulated in the IDD samples. The cellular localization of MRTF-A was associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Overloaded strain enhanced the nuclear translocation of MRTF-A and changed the NPC morphology from spindle-shaped to long strips. Additional experiments showed that RhoA, ROCK2, MRTF-A, SRF, MMP-12, and CTGF were upregulated; however, aggrecan and collagen II were downregulated in NPCs under overload strain. CCG-1423, a RhoA/MRTF-A pathway inhibitor, reversed strain-induced fibrosis. Conclusion : Mechanical stress activates RhoA/MRTF-A signaling to promote extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration in the NP, which is associated with the development of IDD. Our findings suggest that the RhoA/MRTF-A inhibitor CCG-1423 can alleviate NPC degeneration caused by overload stress and has potential as a therapeutic agent for IDD.

Polycystin-1 is required for insulin-like growth factor 1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Cardiac hypertrophy is the result of responses to various physiological or pathological stimuli. Recently, we showed that polycystin-1 participates in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy elicited by pressure overload and mechanical stress. Interestingly, polycystin-1 knockdown does not affect phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, suggesting that the effects of polycystin-1 are stimulus-dependent. In this study, we aimed to identify the role of polycystin-1 in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling in cardiomyocytes. Polycystin-1 knockdown completely blunted IGF-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We then investigated the molecular mechanism underlying this result. We found that polycystin-1 silencing impaired the activation of the IGF-1 receptor, Akt, and ERK1/2 elicited by IGF-1. Remarkably, IGF-1-induced IGF-1 receptor, Akt, and ERK1/2 phosphorylations were restored when protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B was inhibited, suggesting that polycystin-1 knockdown deregulates this phosphatase in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition also restored IGF-1-dependent cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in polycystin-1-deficient cells. Our findings provide the first evidence that polycystin-1 regulates IGF-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through a mechanism involving protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B.

Caution, \u201cnormal\u201d BMI: health risks associated with potentially masked individual underweight\u2014EPMA Position Paper 2021

An increasing interest in a healthy lifestyle raises questions about optimal body weight. Evidently, it should be clearly discriminated between the standardised “normal” body weight and individually optimal weight. To this end, the basic principle of personalised medicine “one size does not fit all” has to be applied. Contextually, “normal” but e.g. borderline body mass index might be optimal for one person but apparently suboptimal for another one strongly depending on the individual genetic predisposition, geographic origin, cultural and nutritional habits and relevant lifestyle parameters—all included into comprehensive individual patient profile. Even if only slightly deviant, both overweight and underweight are acknowledged risk factors for a shifted metabolism which, if being not optimised, may strongly contribute to the development and progression of severe pathologies. Development of innovative screening programmes is essential to promote population health by application of health risks assessment, individualised patient profiling and multi-parametric analysis, further used for cost-effective targeted prevention and treatments tailored to the person. The following healthcare areas are considered to be potentially strongly benefiting from the above proposed measures: suboptimal health conditions, sports medicine, stress overload and associated complications, planned pregnancies, periodontal health and dentistry, sleep medicine, eye health and disorders, inflammatory disorders, healing and pain management, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancers, psychiatric and neurologic disorders, stroke of known and unknown aetiology, improved individual and population outcomes under pandemic conditions such as COVID-19. In a long-term way, a significantly improved healthcare economy is one of benefits of the proposed paradigm shift from reactive to Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine (PPPM/3PM). A tight collaboration between all stakeholders including scientific community, healthcare givers, patient organisations, policy-makers and educators is essential for the smooth implementation of 3PM concepts in daily practice.

Calcium-oxidative stress signaling axis and casein kinase 1α mediate eryptosis and hemolysis elicited by novel p53 agonist inauhzin

Inauhzin (INZ) is a novel p53 agonist with antitumor activity. Anemia is a common side effect of chemotherapy and may arise from red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis or eryptosis. In this study, we investigate the mechanisms of INZ toxicity in human RBCs. RBCs were isolated from healthy donors and treated with antitumor concentrations of INZ (5–500 μM) for 24 h at 37 °C. Hemoglobin was photometrically measured, and cells were stained with Annexin-V-FITC for phosphatidylserine (PS), Fluo4/AM for calcium, and 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) for oxidative stress. INZ caused significant dose-responsive, calcium-dependent hemolysis starting at 40 μM. Furthermore, INZ significantly increased Annexin-positive cells and Fluo4 and DCF fluorescence. The cytotoxicity of INZ was also significantly mitigated in presence of D4476. INZ possesses hemolytic and eryptotic potential characterized by cell membrane scrambling, intracellular calcium overload, cell shrinkage, and oxidative stress secondary to calcium influx from the extracellular space.

Effects of Mindful Self-Compassion Training on Increasing Self-Compassion in Health Care Professionals

Abstract Date Presented 04/22/21 Health care professionals are vulnerable to stress overload and risks that threaten health and well-being. This study investigated the impact of mindful self-compassion (MSC) training on people working in health care. Overall, self-compassion and subscale scores showed significant improvement. Participants indicated that self-compassion and positive mind states were integrated into their lives. OTs could assimilate MSC as an adjunct approach for their clients and their selves. Primary Author and Speaker: Susan M. Knier

Overload Stress and its Influence on Durability of Ceramic Elements in Hip and Knee Joints Endoprostheses

Overload Stress and its Influence on Durability of Ceramic Elements in Hip and Knee Joints Endoprostheses

Is It Better to Disclose or Conceal Medical Error When Occur? An Indicative Study from Sohag Governorate Physicians

Introduction: Medication errors as one of the commonest medical problems in hospitals are a leading cause of patient morbidity. Subjects and methods: three hundreds (300) doctors of different degrees were asked to fulfill the attached questionnaire about medical malpractice (causes, types, preventive measures) and their opinion about disclosure or concealing the errors. Results: The studied subjects included variable age groups, with range from 25 to 65 years old. The major cause of medical malpractice reported by the participants was deficient skills 45%, followed by poor contact with patients (35%). Other reported causes are due to stress and work overload (25%). Twelve percent were due to poor team work arrangement. Only 23.7% of doctors decide to disclose their errors and 76.3% prefer to hide the medical errors. The most common error reported by participants was diagnosis errors (23.6%), and then delayed transfer in 21%. The outcome of patients secondary to error was minor in 72.6% and death occurred only in 4.67%. The most reported suggested measure (51%) for prevention of error recurrence was referral of difficult cases followed by performing risky procedures in qualified hospitals (42.6%) and then to encourage doctors to disclose their error 41.3%. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the main causes of medical errors were poor contact with patients and deficient skills. The most common mentioned errors were surgery in non-equipped place, unethical conduct and diagnosis error. The participants’ response was avoiding similar situations and increase information to prevent recurrence. The majority of participating doctors chose concealing the errors to avoid loss of reputation Recommendations: Close monitoring of residents and adequate communication between staff and regularization of duty hours can decrease occurrence o

Long-term depletion of cereblon induces mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells

Cereblon (CRBN) is a multi-functional protein that acts as a sub-strate receptor of the E3 ligase complex and a molecular chaperone. While CRBN is proposed to function in mitochondria, its specific roles are yet to be established. Here, we showed that knockdown of CRBN triggers oxidative stress and calcium overload in mitochondria, leading to disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Notably, long-term CRBN depletion using PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) induced irreversible mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in cell death. Our collective findings indicate that CRBN is required for mitochondrial homeostasis in cells.

Peran Work Overload, Work Environment, Work Family Conflict & Work Stress Terhadap Job Performance

The purpose of this research is to identify the role of Work overload, work environment, work-family conflict and work stress on job performance in Public Facilities and Infrastructure Handling Officers on South Jakarta. The sample used in the study was 130 respondents of Public Facilities and Infrastructure Handling Officers on Jakarta. The data collection techniques in this research used primary data by distributing questionnaires to Public Infrastructure and Facilities Handling Officers in Jakarta with data collected by 130 respondents using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis supported by SPSS 24 and AMOS 21. The results of this study indicate that 1) Work overload has a positive and significant effect on Job Stress. 2) Work Environment has a negative and significant effect on Job Stress. 3) Work Environment has no influence on Job Performance. 4) Work Environment has no influence on Job Performance. 5) Work Stress has no effect on Job Performance. 6) Work-Family Conflict has no effect on Job Performance. 7) Work Stress is proven to be a variable that intervenes between Work Overload and Job Performance. 8) Work Stress is proven to be a variable that intervenes between Work Environment and Job Performance.

Stress Distribution Around Two Dental Implant Materials with New Designs: Comparative Finite Element Analysis Study

Background: The introduction of modified thread designs is one of the research areas of interest in the dental implantology field. Two suggested Buttress and Reverse Buttress thread designs in TiG5 and TiG4 models are tested against a standard TiG5 Fin Thread design (IBS®). Purpose: The study aims to compare stress distribution around the suggested designs and Fin Thread design. Methods: Three dental implant models: Fin Thread design, and newly suggested Buttress and Reverse Buttress designs of both TiG5 and TiG4 models were tested using FEA for stress distribution using static (70N, 0°) and (400N, 30°) occlusal loads. Results: The main difference between the suggested Buttress design and Fin Thread design lies in the overload (400N, 30°) condition. Maximum Von Mises stress is less in Buttress design than Fin Thread design. On the other hand the level of Von Mises stress over the buccolingual slop of the cancellous bone in Fin Thread design liess within the lowest stress level. The suggested Reverse Buttress design, on the other hand showed almost uniform stress distribution in both TiG4 and TiG4 models with maximum Von Mises stress higher than the elastic modulus of cancellous bone in overload (400N, 30°) condition. Conclusion: The suggested TiG4 Buttress design might have a minor advantage of stress level in cases of stress overload. In contrast, Fin Thread design shows minimal stress over the buccolingual slop of the cancellous bone. The suggested Reverse Buttress design might be more suitable for the D1 bone quality region with the advantage of almost uniform stress distribution

Maintenance of iron homeostasis by apocynin during states of global ischemia in rat brain and retina

Ischemic stroke is associated with several neurodegenerative factors, which are exacerbated further during reperfusion. Increased iron storage in the brain also contributes to stroke progression and worsens the outcome with the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. Further, several clinical studies have demonstrated that disease susceptibility, response to infection and inflammation, worsen with increased iron levels. So, in the present study, the iron levels were assessed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and Prussian blue staining in the brain and retina of the rats post ischemic insult. The retinal alterations were also assessed as retina is a projection of the CNS. The expressions of the regulatory genes of iron homeostasis were estimated in the cerebrum. In addition to it, the BBB disruption due to iron overload and oxidative stress, were measured. The iron levels were found to be significantly higher in the cortical and hippocampal regions leading to the appearance of iron deposits and cellular damage in retina post ischemic injury. In the current study the protective role of apocynin, a NADPH oxidase assembly inhibitor, was assessed against the alterations induced by disturbed iron homeostasis post cerebral ischemia. Apocynin supplementation was able to maintain the iron homeostasis in the brains of ischemic rats through the normalization of the gene expressions of regulatory genes and restoration of the BBB integrity. The decline in the iron levels in the brain after apocynin supplementation also prevented the appearance of iron deposits and cellular damage in the retina during the states of cerebral ischemia.

The impact of organisational culture on occupational stress: Comparison of the SME IT sectors in India and the UK

The study's main aim is to examine the impact of organisational culture on occupational stress by comparing the IT sectors in India and the UK. The paper adopts the application of Denison’s model for studying the organisational culture, whereas role conflict, role ambiguity, role overload and role stress are considered to discuss occupational stress. Through snowball, convenience, purposive and quota sampling techniques, 62 respondents (31 from India and 31 from the UK) were targeted to attain a qualitative perspective through a semi-structured questionnaire. Results showed that there is an impact of organisational culture on occupational stress. Moreover, the impact is mainly evident in the Indian IT sector than the UK IT sector. Moreover, considering the impact of organisational culture on occupational stress, overall employees experience occupational stress, role overload, role conflict, role ambiguity and role stress. In contrasting economies, Indian IT sector employee’s experience role conflict, role overload, role ambiguity and role stress, whereas UK IT sector employees’ experience role ambiguity.

Usefulness of the English version of the Stress Overload Scale in a sample of employed South Africans

Amidst reports of high levels of stress in South Africa, it remained difficult to quantify psychological stress in the absence of locally validated measures. This study explored the English version of the Stress Overload Scale (SOS) in a South African sample. The first aim was to replicate the basic psychometric analysis of the original English version used in American samples, as well as the Setswana version used in a South African rural community setting. The second aim was to investigate criterion validity to determine its appropriateness for use in South Africa. A total of 2136 employed South Africans with at least 9 years of schooling participated in this study. Participants completed a range of mental health and well-being measures, both clinical and dispositional. Responses were analysed to examine both scale characteristics and validity indices related to the SOS. Little sociodemographic influence (age, gender and first language) was found, with analyses supporting validity across most indices. Furthermore, good predictive ability for mental (ill-) health was observed. This study, for the most part, replicated previous validation findings of the SOS. Validity was further confirmed by correlating the scale with measures of clinical mental health and dispositional well-being. Given the positive support to its validity, when used amongst employed South Africans with at least 9 years of education, the scale holds promise for application in local health-related research, for triage in primary healthcare contexts and for measuring outcomes of mental health interventions in therapeutic settings.

The Algorithms of Mindfulness

This paper analyzes notions and models of optimized cognition emerging at the intersections of psychology, neuroscience, and computing. What I somewhat polemically call the algorithms of mindfulness describes an ideal that determines algorithmic techniques of the self, geared at emotional resilience and creative cognition. A reframing of rest, exemplified in corporate mindfulness programs and the design of experimental artificial neural networks sits at the heart of this process. Mindfulness trainings provide cues as to this reframing, for they detail each in their own way how intermittent periods of rest are to be recruited to augment our cognitive capacities and combat the effects of stress and information overload. They typically rely on and co-opt neuroscience knowledge about what the brains of North Americans and Europeans do when we rest. Current designs for artificial neural networks draw on the same neuroscience research and incorporate coarse principles of cognition in brains to make machine learning systems more resilient and creative. These algorithmic techniques are primarily conceived to prevent psychopathologies where stress is considered the driving force of success. Against this backdrop, I ask how machine learning systems could be employed to unsettle the concept of pathological cognition itself.

The anticancer effect of extract of medicinal mushroom Sanghuangprous vaninii against human cervical cancer cell via endoplasmic reticulum stress-mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSanghuangprous vaninii (Ljub.) L.W. Zhou & Y.C. Dai, known as “Sanghuang” in China, is mainly distributed in the northeast of China. As a traditional medicinal mushroom, “Sanghuang” is medicinally used for resolving the symptoms of gynecological tumors including vaginal bleeding, leucorrhea, abdominal pain and abdominal mass. This mushroom is potential for gynecological cancers therapy. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence on its anti-tumor activity against human cervical cancer, the most common gynecological cancer. Aim of the studyTo identify the anti-tumor potential of the extract of Sanghuangprous vaninii (ESV) on human cervical cancer SiHa cells, and explore detailed mechanisms of ESV inducing cancer cell death. Materials and methodsThe anti-proliferation effects were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay. Transmission electron microscope was applied to determined the cellular ultrastructure changes. The cell cycle distribution, quantification of apoptotic cells, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and cytosolic calcium level were determined by flow cytometer. Western blot analysis was used to explore the alterations in the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-marked and apoptosis-related proteins. The in-vivo anti-tumor effect was identified by mouse xenograft model. ResultsESV significantly inhibited the proliferation of SiHa cells in vivo and vitro. Blocking cell cycle and causing cell apoptosis contributed to cell death induced by ESV. Mechanistically, ESV induced endoplasmic reticulum stress evidenced by the elevated expressions of GRP78 and CHOP, which accompanied by the release of calcium (Ca2+). The Ca2+ overload and oxidative stress facilitated the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and subsequently activated caspase-3 and -9, which eventually lead to cell apoptosis. ConclusionsOur results revealed that Sanghuangprous vaninii was effective against human cervical cancer SiHa cells in vitro and vivo. There is a promising potential that Sanghuangprous vaninii might be a candidate for cervical cancer therapy.

Effect of multiple traffic information sources on route choice: A driving simulator study

With the arrival of new technologies more en-route traffic information sources have become available, especially in-car information sources. The aim of this study is to gain more insight into the effect of multiple, and possibly conflicting, sources of information on route choice and driver behaviour. In a driving simulator experiment, participants were required to make multiple drives, each of which ended with a choice between the normal and an alternative route. On each trial participants received traffic information from a Variable Message Sign (VMS), i.e. a dynamic sign above the road providing descriptive traffic information in the form of expected travel times (ETTs), a navigation device providing in-car prescriptive route advice, or information from both sources. In the latter type of trial the information could be congruent or conflicting with regards to ETTs on the VMS and advise from the navigation. After each trial, participants indicated how much trust they had in the traffic information and their primary information source. A Bayesian model was used to quantify the propensity to switch to the alternative route. Results indicate that overall compliance was very high for the primary source even when the other source did not corroborate this information and that most participants preferred to use the information from a VMS. However, when both the VMS and the navigation device provided information and the VMS indicated the same ETTs for the normal and alternative route, route choice was influenced by the advice provided by the navigation device. Also, in this type of trial mean speed was significantly lower compared to trials in which the two sources were in conflict, indicating increased mental workload, most likely due to attentional dissonance: a situation in which stimuli compete for attention resulting in cognitive conflict and the need to inhibit non-relevant information. A deeper understanding of how drivers use multiple traffic information sources and cope with irrelevant information could support driver safety and comfort, increase the usability of information sources, and help reduce stress, anxiety, and information overload while driving.

Work-Related Stress and Anxiety Among Frontline Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has strained the health system worldwide. Nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 reported experiencing significant work-related stress and anxiety. The current online descriptive cross-sectional correlational study aimed to investigate work-related stress and anxiety among nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Data were collected from 240 nurses using the Stress Overload Scale and Self-Rated Anxiety Scale. Average stress and anxiety scores were 34.96 (SD = 5.85) and 52.8 (SD = 5.48), respectively. Statistically significant differences were found in mean stress overload and anxiety scores based on gender, professional title, average working hours per week, working area, and presence of fear of being infected with COVID-19. These findings suggest the need to promote well-being in nurses and assist nurses and other health care workers experiencing mental and psychological health problems in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59(8), 31-42.].