Subjective versus objective stress in noncritically ill hospitalized and outpatient adult men

Authors

  • Francisco J. Karkow University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas
  • Wilson P. Spiandorello University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas
  • Rossane F. Godoy University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas
  • Patricia Pezzi University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas
  • Antônio G. M. Karkow University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas
  • Joel Faintuch University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000400002

Keywords:

Stress, Metabolic stress, Anxiety, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Cortisol

Abstract

A cross-sectional study of 120 subjects was performed with the purpose of evaluating stress hormones and emotional stress (anxiety) in outpatient and hospitalized subjects. The aims were to determine the degree of objective stress, as well as to correlate this finding with subjective findings, estimated using Beck's Anxiety Inventory.. METHOD: Three populations were investigated, namely outpatient clinical cases (Group I, n = 30), hospitalized clinical individuals (Group II, n = 30), and hospitalized surgical candidates (Group III, n = 30). Controls (Group IV, n = 30) were healthy volunteers who were health-care professionals and students. To avoid hormone interactions, only men were enrolled in all groups. All hospitalized subjects were tested on admission and before therapeutic interventions. Fasting epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol were measured in the morning, and Beck's Anxiety Inventory was adminstered by a trained psychologist. RESULTS: The 3 patient groups displayed higher anxiety levels than the controls. Hormone concentrations did not present remarkable changes and did not correlate with subjective stress (anxiety). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Subjective disorders (as determined with Beck's Anxiety Inventory ) were a common finding in both outpatient and hospitalized populations, without differences between the various groups; 2) Objective stress (as determined by elevated hormone levels) was more difficult to confirm-findings rarely exceeded the reference range; 3) Correlation between the two variables could not be demonstrated; 4) Further studies are necessary to define stress quantification and interpretation in patient populations, especially in relationship with nutritional diagnosis and dietetic prescription.

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Published

2004-01-01

Issue

Section

Original Research

How to Cite

Subjective versus objective stress in noncritically ill hospitalized and outpatient adult men . (2004). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 59(4), 161-167. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000400002