Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: December | Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 251-257
A Study to Compare the Effects of Perceived Stress on Waist Hip Ratio and Cardiovascular Profile of MBBS and Paramedical Students in a Medical College of West Bengal
Arunima Chaudhuri
Associate Professor Department of Physiology, Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital (Affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences), Rampurhat, West Bengal, India.
ABSTRACT
Background: Medical education is inherently stressful and health care professionals also experience excess stress as has been observed in different studies. Aims: To compare the effects of perceived stress on waist hip ratio and cardiovascular profile of MBBS and Paramedical Students in a Medical College of West Bengal.
Materials and methods: This pilot project was conducted in Burdwan Medical College among MBBS and paramedical students after taking institutional ethical clearance and informed consent of the subjects. 100 MBBS students were considered as study group (Group I) and 100 paramedical students as control (Group II). The subjects were age, sex and dietary habit matched. Perceived stress scores were assessed. Anthropometric assessments were done, lipid profile, fasting sugar were analyzed. Resting pulse rate and blood pressure were measured and 40 mm Hg endurance test, Isometric hand grip test was done for cardiovascular assessment.
Results: GI had significantly higher PSS as compared to GII. PSS GI: 27.98 + 3.09 vs. GII 19.03 + 3.4; P value < 0.0001. There was no significant difference in BMI between the two groups. Waist Hip ratio was significantly higher in Group I as compared to Group II. Group I had significantly higher Pulse rate, Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure as compared to Group II. In Group I: 40 mm endurance time was 25.09 ± 3.1 while in Group II: 29.83 ± 1.7. The difference in means was highly significant with p value of < 0.0001. IHG: Group II 12.99 ± 3.05 and Group I 16.44 ± 1.99; P value of < 0.0001. MBBS students had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels as compared to paramedical counterparts. But there was no difference in fasting sugar and LDL between the two groups. Paramedical students had significant higher levels of HDL cholesterol as compared to MBBS students.
Conclusions: Medical students perceive more stress as compared to their paramedical counterparts and high perceive stress level may have a negative impact on cardiovascular profile and quality of life.
Key words: Perceived stress, Medical Education, Cardiovascular Profile.
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