Studying the Association Between Occupational Stress and Urinary Levels of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers (8-OHdG and Biopyrrins) in Brickfield Workers.

Abstract

The aims of the study are to measure the prevalence and level of occupational stress (OS) and to explore its association with oxidative stress among some brickfield workers. Eighty-six brickfield workers and 90 administrative controls were assessed using the Arabic validated version of the Occupational Stress Index. The urinary levels of oxidative biomarkers; 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and biopyrrins were also measured. The prevalence of moderate and severe OS in addition to the urinary levels of both oxidative biomarkers was significantly higher among the brickfield workers compared with their controls. Both biomarkers levels were significantly and positively correlated with scores of Occupational Stress Index, duration of employment, and with each other. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed significant specificity and sensitivity of both biomarkers for determining the level of OS. A significant association between occupational and oxidative stresses was detected in brickfield workers.