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Cortisol as a Biomarker of Work-Related Stress in Firefighters: A Systematic Review

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Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health III

Part of the book series: Studies in Systems, Decision and Control ((SSDC,volume 406))

Abstract

Introduction: Work-related stress results from exposure to factors such as high workloads and lack of control over one’s work. This exposure stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to increase the secretion of stress-related glucocorticoid hormones, including cortisol. The main objective of this study was to investigate the production of cortisol (or cortisol levels) of firefighters in response to work-related stress. Methodology: For the systematic literature review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement was used. The research was developed in the databases SCOPUS, Web Of Science, and Pubmed. Results: Eleven articles were included in the present study, with hormonal and physiological assessments verifying the psychophysiological response to stress. Discussion: The nervous system and the endocrine system trigger the production of hormones called corticosteroids in response to stress. The primary corticosteroid is cortisol, produced in the adrenal gland. Exposure to extreme environments and involvement in intense physical activities impact hormone production and all stress biomarkers. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to confirm cortisol as a biomarker of occupational stress, particularly in occupations with high physical and mental demands such as firefighters.

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Change history

  • 03 March 2022

    In the original version of the book, the following corrections have been incorporated:

    In Chapter 5 “Analysis of Safety Culture Maturity in Two Finnish Companies”, the first author name was corrected from Julius Pirhonena to Julius Pirhonen. The corresponding chapter author has been changed to ‘Sari Tappura’ and the email address was corrected from saritappura@tuni.fi to sari.tappura@tuni.fi

    In Chapter 16 “Long-Term Driving Causes Gait Plantar Pressure Alterations in Subjects Groups”, section “3.2 Plantar Pressure Distribution” was included.

    In Chapter 22 “Cortisol as a Biomarker of Work-Related Stress in Firefighters: A Systematic Review”, the author list was updated with the correct information (name, affiliations and email address) of the second author, Joana Santos.

    The chapters and the book have been updated with the above-mentioned changes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Tatiana Teixeira

  2. Environmental Health Department, School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Santos

  3. INEGI- Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI/LAETA), Porto, Portugal

    Joana Santos

  4. Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics (PROA/LAETA), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Santos, D. Bustos & J. C. Guedes

Authors
  1. Tatiana Teixeira
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  2. Joana Santos
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  3. D. Bustos
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  4. J. C. Guedes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tatiana Teixeira .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Pedro M. Arezes

  2. Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    J. Santos Baptista

  3. Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Paula Carneiro

  4. DEM, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Jacqueline Castelo Branco

  5. Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Nélson Costa

  6. DEM, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    J. Duarte

  7. DEM, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    J. C. Guedes

  8. Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Cruz Quebrada–Dafundo, Portugal

    Rui B. Melo

  9. Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    A. Sérgio Miguel

  10. DEM, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Gonçalo Perestrelo

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Teixeira, T., Santos, J., Bustos, D., Guedes, J.C. (2022). Cortisol as a Biomarker of Work-Related Stress in Firefighters: A Systematic Review. In: Arezes, P.M., et al. Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health III. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, vol 406. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89617-1_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89617-1_22

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