Specifics of Psychological Status of Locomotive Crew Workers With Arterial Hypertension

Introduction. Arterial hypertension is one of the most important problems of modern cardiology. Recently, special attention has been paid to the problem of early diagnosis and prevention of treatment of arterial hypertension in workers whose working conditions are associated with a stress-inducing factor causing psycho-emotional tension. Aim. Evaluation of psychological status in employees of locomotive crews with arterial hypertension was the aim of our study. Material and methods. 152 men working in the locomotive crews [mean age (43,2±5,1) years], including 88 patients with hypertension (main group) and 64 persons with normal blood pressure (comparison group) were examined. We performed anthropometric study with assessment of such parameters as waist circumference (cm), hip circumference (cm), calculated the ratio of body fat/hip, determined the parameters of lipidogram, blood insulin concentration, immunoreactive insulin, uric acid, and calculated the NOMA-IR index of insulin resistance. We used Spielberger–Hanin Scale, PSM 25 psychological stress scale, Internal Minute test, Reeder Scale of Psychological Stress, and DS-14 personality type diagnostic questionnaire to evaluate psycho-emotional status. The data were processed using standard statistical methods with Statistica 10 program, Microsoft Excel 2010. The differences were considered statistically significant at p<0,05. Results and its discussion. Changes in the indicators of psychological status, indicating a decrease in stress resistance and the development of stress reactivity, were revealed. Among patients with arterial hypertension there was a significantly higher proportion of individuals with a high level of personal anxiety, with a higher level of stress compared to the group of individuals without arterial hypertension. Conclusion. Patients with arterial hypertension working in locomotive crews are characterized by the presence of psychological status disorders, which are manifested by a high level of personal anxiety, stress, the development of «distressor» personality type D, and reduced stress tolerance. The degree of psychological disorders correlates with increased blood pressure level, age, and duration of stress factor exposure.