Antioxidant enzymes, occupational stress and burnout in workers of a prehospitalary emergency service

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in many diseases and aging. Scavenging enzymes represent one of several natural defence mechanisms against ROS-induced damage. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase are enzymes that are involved in antioxidant defence. Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Objectives: To determine the activity of two antioxidant enzymes, SOD and catalase, and their variation according to demographic and occupational variables in workers of a prehospitalary emergency service, and to analyse the relationship between antioxidant enzyme activities and burnout 111 healthy workers of a prehospitalary emergency service were surveyed. Methods: SOD activity was analysed by the Minami and Yoshikawa method. Catalase activity was measured by the method of Aebi. To measure burnout, the Maslach Burnout Inventory was used. Results: No significant variations with respect to sex were detected in SOD and catalase activities and levels of burnout. Significant differences in SOD activity between the control group and workers of a prehospitalary emergency service (P < 0.001) were found. SOD activity was higher in workers on night and evening shifts (P < 0.001). These workers also obtained higher scores in burnout subscales, but without statistical significance. (C) 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.