Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: October | Volume: 6 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 263-270
Effect of Perceived Stress on Electrocardiographic Parameters of Female Health Professionals: A Cross Sectional Observational Study
Dr. Arunima Chaudhuri1, Dr. Manjushree Ray2, Dr. Arpan Kumar Ghosh3
1Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital (Affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences), Rampurhat, West Bengal, India.
2Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Calcutta Medical College, (Affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences), Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
3Demonstrator, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and JNM Hospital, WBUHS, Kalyani, West Bengal, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Arunima Chaudhuri
ABSTRACT
Background: Stress can trigger both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and perceived stress has been reported higher among female health professionals. Aims: To observe the effects of perceived stress on ECG parameters in female health professionals.
Materials and methods: The present cross sectional observational study was conducted in the department of Physiology of Burdwan Medical College after taking institutional ethical clearance and informed consent of the subjects. Hundred healthy female health professionals were selected from the local population as study group (Group S) and hundred healthy age matched working women were selected as control (Group C). Stress level in the subjects was assessed according to the Presumptive stressful life event scale (PSLES) and subjects with PSLES scores more than 200 were only included. The Perceived Stress Scale of Sheldon Cohen was used to measure perceived stress scores. ECG was recorded in both the groups. Unpaired T Test was used to compare the two groups.
Results: Study group had significantly higher perceived stress scores as compared to controls though there was no significant difference in their PSLES scores. PSS scores: Group S 28.2±3.09 vs. Group C 24.2±3.4; P value<0.0001. Study of ECG parameters revealed the following observations: There was significant difference between the two groups in respect of R-R interval, with control group having higher values as compared to study group. Mean ± SD values of R-R interval: Group S 0.71±0.08 vs. Group C 0.73±0.68; P value <0.0001. Subjects with higher perceived stress scores had significantly lower QRS complex. Mean ± SD values of QRS complex: Group S 0.049±0.019 vs. Group C 0.068±0.02; P value <0.0001. Subjects with higher perceived stress scores had significantly higher T-wave amplitude. Mean ± SD values of T-wave: Group S 0. 28±0.09 vs. Group C 0.17±0.09; P value <0.0001. P-R interval was significantly prolonged in controls as compared to study group. Mean ± SD values of P-R interval: Group S 0.16±0.05 vs. Group C 0.195±0.03; P value <0.0001. S-T-segment amplitude was significantly less in controls. Mean ± SD values of S-T-segment in Group S 0.112±0.03 vs. Group C 0.044±0.017; P value <0.0001. QT interval was significantly greater in controls as compared to study group. PSS scores were negatively correlated with Q-T interval. Mean ± SD values of Q-T interval: Group S 0.328±0.032 vs. Group C 0.345±0.038; P value <0.0001.
Conclusions: Female health care professionals perceive more stress as compared to females of the same age group having similar PSLES scores. Increase in perceive stress levels bring about various changes in electrocardiographic parameters which is a reflection of the adverse cardiovascular changes and autonomic imbalance precipitated by increased perceived stress levels.
Key words: Female health professionals, Perceived stress, ECG changes.
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