The role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to (1) See whether increased or decreased variation relate to subjective reports of common somatic and psychological symptoms for a population on long-term sick leave; and (2) See if this pattern in variation is correlated with autonomic activation and psychological appra...
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doaj-1e8f9a8a6bc04c5abfe3670888ecc18f2020-11-25T01:23:07ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032014-01-0195e9604810.1371/journal.pone.0096048The role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave.Henrik B JacobsenJohan Håkon BjørngaardKaren W HaraPetter C BorchgrevinkAstrid WoodhouseNils Inge LandrøAnette HarrisTore C StilesOBJECTIVE: This study aimed to (1) See whether increased or decreased variation relate to subjective reports of common somatic and psychological symptoms for a population on long-term sick leave; and (2) See if this pattern in variation is correlated with autonomic activation and psychological appraisal. METHODS: Our participants (n = 87) were referred to a 3.5-week return-to-work rehabilitation program, and had been on paid sick leave >8 weeks due to musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and/or common mental disorders. An extensive survey was completed, addressing socio-demographics, somatic and psychological complaints. In addition, a physician and a psychologist examined the participants, determining baseline heart rate, medication use and SCID-I diagnoses. During the 3.5-week program, the participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups. Participants wore heart rate monitors and filled out Visual Analogue Scales during the TSST-G. RESULTS: Our participants presented a low cortisol variation, with mixed model analyses showing a maximal increase in free saliva cortisol of 26% (95% CI, 0.21-0.32). Simultaneously, the increase in heart rate and Visual Analogue Scales was substantial, indicating autonomic and psychological activation consistent with intense stress from the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings are the first description of a blunted cortisol response in a heterogeneous group of patients on long-term sick leave. The results suggest lack of cortisol reactivity as a possible biological link involved in the pathway between stress, sustained activation and long-term sick leave.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4008526?pdf=render |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Henrik B Jacobsen Johan Håkon Bjørngaard Karen W Hara Petter C Borchgrevink Astrid Woodhouse Nils Inge Landrø Anette Harris Tore C Stiles |
spellingShingle |
Henrik B Jacobsen Johan Håkon Bjørngaard Karen W Hara Petter C Borchgrevink Astrid Woodhouse Nils Inge Landrø Anette Harris Tore C Stiles The role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave. PLoS ONE |
author_facet |
Henrik B Jacobsen Johan Håkon Bjørngaard Karen W Hara Petter C Borchgrevink Astrid Woodhouse Nils Inge Landrø Anette Harris Tore C Stiles |
author_sort |
Henrik B Jacobsen |
title |
The role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave. |
title_short |
The role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave. |
title_full |
The role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave. |
title_fullStr |
The role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave. |
title_full_unstemmed |
The role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave. |
title_sort |
role of stress in absenteeism: cortisol responsiveness among patients on long-term sick leave. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
series |
PLoS ONE |
issn |
1932-6203 |
publishDate |
2014-01-01 |
description |
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to (1) See whether increased or decreased variation relate to subjective reports of common somatic and psychological symptoms for a population on long-term sick leave; and (2) See if this pattern in variation is correlated with autonomic activation and psychological appraisal. METHODS: Our participants (n = 87) were referred to a 3.5-week return-to-work rehabilitation program, and had been on paid sick leave >8 weeks due to musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and/or common mental disorders. An extensive survey was completed, addressing socio-demographics, somatic and psychological complaints. In addition, a physician and a psychologist examined the participants, determining baseline heart rate, medication use and SCID-I diagnoses. During the 3.5-week program, the participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups. Participants wore heart rate monitors and filled out Visual Analogue Scales during the TSST-G. RESULTS: Our participants presented a low cortisol variation, with mixed model analyses showing a maximal increase in free saliva cortisol of 26% (95% CI, 0.21-0.32). Simultaneously, the increase in heart rate and Visual Analogue Scales was substantial, indicating autonomic and psychological activation consistent with intense stress from the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings are the first description of a blunted cortisol response in a heterogeneous group of patients on long-term sick leave. The results suggest lack of cortisol reactivity as a possible biological link involved in the pathway between stress, sustained activation and long-term sick leave. |
url |
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4008526?pdf=render |
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