Clinical Scorecard: Association between Cortisol and CX3CL1 along with Changes in Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles in Emergency Medical Services Workers
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Psychological distress in Emergency Medical Services personnel
Key Mechanisms
Neuroendocrine–immune pathways involving cortisol and cytokine profiles
Target Population
Emergency Medical Services workers
Care Setting
High-demand healthcare environments
Key Highlights
EMS personnel exhibited higher cortisol levels and altered cytokine profiles compared to matched controls.
Significant associations were found between cortisol and CX3CL1, particularly among women.
The study identified a broad alteration in cytokines and chemokines in EMS personnel.
Women in the EMS group reported higher anxiety and stress scores than men.
Physiological changes included higher systolic blood pressure in EMS personnel.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess psychological distress using standardized scales such as the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21.
Management
Consider monitoring cortisol and inflammatory markers in high-demand healthcare workers.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Regularly evaluate psychological and physiological health in EMS personnel.
Risks
Be aware of the potential for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome linked to altered cytokine profiles.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Emergency Medical Services workers experiencing psychological distress.
Integrate psychological, endocrine, and immune markers for comprehensive health assessments.
Clinical Best Practices
Implement stress management programs for EMS personnel.
Monitor for sex-related differences in stress responses and health outcomes.
Encourage regular health screenings focusing on psychological and physiological markers.
by Elena R. Serrano-Ibáñez, María Flores-López, Laura Martín-Chaves, Tania Corrás-Vázquez, Inés Antúnez-Muñoz, Javier Samper-Zapata, Ada del Mar Carmona-Segovia, Raquel Reviriego, Manuel Jiménez-Navarro, Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca, Antonia Serrano, Francisco Javier Pavón-Morón
