Serum cortisol was significantly correlated with post-prandial blood sugar (r = 0.183, p < 0.01), suggesting occupational stress may influence glycemic response in paramedical workers.
Cohort (n=250)
Is occupational stress and serum cortisol concentration associated with impaired glucose regulation in non-diabetic paramedical workers?
Occupational stress and higher serum cortisol levels are associated with increased post-prandial blood glucose in non-diabetic paramedical workers, suggesting a potential stress-mediated pathway for increased Type 2 Diabetes risk.
Estimación del efecto: r = 0.183
valor p: p=<0.01
Background: Occupational stress is increasingly recognized as a contributor to metabolic disturbances, including impaired glucose regulation. Serum cortisol serves as an important physiological marker linking psychological stress with metabolic outcomes. Objective: To determine whether occupational stress is associated with an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among paramedical workers, using serum cortisol as a biomarker of stress response. Methods: A cohort of 250 non-diabetic paramedical workers was evaluated. Psychological stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Serum cortisol levels were measured by Architect chemiluminescent immunoassay. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and post-prandial blood glucose (PPBG) were estimated from plasma using the glucose oxidase method on an automated chemistry analyser. Workers were grouped based on years of work experience (0–10, 11–20, and 21–30 years). Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation to assess associations among cortisol, stress scores, and glucose indices. Results: Age showed a weak but significant positive correlation with fasting blood sugar (r = 0.152, p < 0.05), while no significant association was found with cortisol or PPBS. Cortisol was significantly correlated with PPBS (r = 0.183, p < 0.01), suggesting that stress-related hormonal changes may influence post-prandial glycemic response more than fasting glucose. A strong correlation between FBS and PPBS (r = 0.718, p < 0.01) indicates consistent glycemic tendency across fasting and post-meal states. Group-wise comparison showed highest cortisol in 0–10 years, lowest cortisol and stress score in 11–20 years, and higher stress score in 21–30 years, supporting the role of stress in modulating post-meal blood glucose levels. Conclusion: Occupational stress may promote increased cortisol secretion and disturbance in glucose regulation, thereby potentially increasing the risk of T2DM among paramedical workers.
Verma et al. (Fri,) conducted a cohort in Occupational stress and risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (n=250). Occupational stress and serum cortisol was evaluated on Correlation between serum cortisol and post-prandial blood sugar (PPBS) (r = 0.183, p=<0.01). Serum cortisol was significantly correlated with post-prandial blood sugar (r = 0.183, p < 0.01), suggesting occupational stress may influence glycemic response in paramedical workers.