Effects of Wearing Personal Protective Equipment on Serum Cortisol Levels and Physiological Variables in Healthcare Workers: A Randomised Controlled Trial in a Simulated Pandemic Environment.
| Autor: | Barde P; Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rajkot, Rajkot, IND., Chitturi V; Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Rajkot, IND., Sharma G; Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rajkot, Rajkot, IND., Parmar N; Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Rajkot, IND., Kathrotia R; Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rajkot, Rajkot, IND., Parchwani D; Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Rajkot, IND., Sharma VK; Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rajkot, Rajkot, IND. |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Cureus [Cureus] 2024 Jun 04; Vol. 16 (6), pp. e61687. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 04 (Print Publication: 2024). |
| DOI: | 10.7759/cureus.61687 |
| Abstrakt: | Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the widespread use of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly in high-risk environments. Full-body PPE is favoured for its comprehensive protection against the virus but poses challenges to the body's thermoregulatory system as it inhibits air exchange. This randomised trial was undertaken to investigate the effects of wearing a commonly used gown-type full-body PPE kit in a simulated environment. Methods: Initially, 65 healthy males were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: a study group wearing a full-body PPE kit (gown-type, full-body PPE kit with trousers, a gown-type shirt with a hood, a shoe cover, an N95 face mask, and an optional face shield) and a control group without PPE. They remained seated for three hours while wearing the PPE kit. Room conditions mimicked non-air-conditioned hospital scenarios, with temperature and humidity recorded and ventilation provided through open doors and windows, along with ceiling fan cooling. Activities with minimal physical exertion were allowed, and access to the toilet was kept to a minimum. Subjects underwent assessments of heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), and blood samples for serum cortisol before donning the PPE kit and entering a simulated ICU/WARD environment and after doffing. Results: A total of 60 participants completed the study (30 in each group). Compared to the controls, serum cortisol levels significantly increased in the PPE groups, and HRV data indicated increased sympathetic activity in the PPE group. Conclusion: Wearing a full-body PPE kit (gown-type upper garment with trousers) was found to have a significant impact on cortisol levels and physiological variables in a simulated environment. This suggests that in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic that warrant the use of such PPE kits, appropriate measures should be taken to provide better thermal stability for maintaining the well-being of healthcare workers. Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee for Humans, AIIMS Rajkot issued approval O. W. NO./AIIMS/RAIKOT/IEC/10/2021. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work. (Copyright © 2024, Barde et al.) |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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