Open AccessBurnout and metabolic syndrome among healthcare workers: Is subclinical hypothyroidism a mediator?
Author(s) -
Tsou MengTing,
Chen JauYuan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1002/1348-9585.12252
Subject(s) - burnout , medicine , mediation , odds ratio , subclinical infection , logistic regression , emotional exhaustion , cross sectional study , family medicine , clinical psychology , pathology , political science , law
Objectives Evidence suggests that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with burnout and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We examined the relationship between burnout and MetS among healthcare workers (HCWs) and investigated the potential mediation of SCH. Methods This cross‐sectional study included HCWs from a tertiary medical center; demographic data were obtained using a questionnaire. Burnout was evaluated according to the Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Health Services Survey (MBI–HSS). MetS and thyroid function data were obtained from a physical check‐up. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR), and mediation analysis was employed to examine the mediation effect. Results Among 945 non‐doctor/nurse and 1868 doctor/nurse staff, MetS was 30% and 14%, respectively, and the prevalence of burnout was nearly 6.5%. The results showed that burnout induced higher aOR of MetS in the doctor/nurse group (1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05‐3.62). Thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) showed a positive association factor of MetS in doctor/nurse group‐adjusted burnout (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01‐4.19). A higher TSH level was associated with an increased odds of MetS in younger doctor/nurse staff with burnout syndrome (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.04‐3.22). There was a borderline significant mediation effect of SCH in the association between burnout and MetS in doctor/nurse staff. Conclusions The results showed that higher TSH levels were positively associated with burnout and MetS in doctor/nurse professionals, especially in the young cohort. Burnout may rely on the borderline mediation effect of SCH, which is likely to affect MetS.