Anna Janocha, Robert Skalik, Aldona Molęda, Aleksander Stal, Dariusz Kałka
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: The academic teachers are increasingly diagnosed with anxiety disorders, which results from a high level of work-related stress. These disorders can be both an independent risk factor of many somatic conditions and the cause of complications of various organic disorders leading to poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to compare the heart rate variability (HRV) recorded both during the day and at night in the academic teachers with anxiety disorders and healthy individuals.
Material and methods: The study was conducted on 38 academic teachers - consecutive outpatients with anxiety disorders who participated in the intensive group psychotherapy. The diagnosis was made according to Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria using the Present State Examination (PSE-10) questionnaire. Seventeen examined patients were diagnosed with panic disorder (PD) and 21 with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The control group consisted of 40 healthy academic teachers. The resulting 3 groups were compared in terms of circadian HRV using the Oxford Medilog Suprima Holter System.
Results: The HRV analysis showed the nocturnal falls in the time and frequency parameters related to the parasympathetic activity, e.g., high frequency. The most unfavorable alterations were observed in the PD group, which comprised the disappearance of day vs. night amplitude of the majority of HRV parameters. Hence, the PD group was particularly susceptible to the arrhythmic events. It was noticeable that nocturnal vagotonia in the PD group was significantly lower as compared with the GAD and control group.
Conclusions: The innovative aspect of the present study was to find a distinct profile of HRV with regard to the types of anxiety disorders because of the existing considerable differences between the nature of PD and GAD. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(1):55-67.
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The Journal is dedicated to present the contemporary research in occupational and environmental health from all over the world. It publishes works concerning: occupational and environmental: medicine, epidemiology, hygiene and toxicology; work physiology and ergonomics, musculoskeletal problems; psychosocial factors at work, work-related mental problems, aging, work ability and return to work; working hours, shift work; reproductive factors and endocrine disruptors; radiation, ionizing and non-ionizing health effects; agricultural hazards; work safety and injury and occupational health service; climate change and its effects on health; omics, genetics and epigenetics in occupational and environmental health; health effects of exposure to nanoparticles and nanotechnology products; human biomarkers in occupational and environmental health, intervention studies, clinical sciences’ achievements with potential to improve occupational and environmental health.
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