MONITORING ELEMENTAL MARKERS OF PSYCHOEMOTIONAL STRESS IN EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF KHANTY-MANSIYSK

Abstract

Aim. This study aims to assess the magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) status of emergency healthcare workers in Khanty-Mansiysk. Materials and methods. The study involved 235 healthcare workers from Khanty-Mansiysk, including 104 from surgery, intensive care, and emergency medical care (EMC) (28 males and 76 females) and 125 from therapy and outpatient care (18 males and 107 females) (38.1 ± 4.1 years). The consumption of Mg and K was evaluated by the ASPON-nutrition program, with their content established in hair by mass spectrometry. Psychoemotional burnout in participants was assessed by the Boyko and Rukavishnikova test. Results. The study revealed nearly identical underconsumption of Mg (82–82 %) and K (77–79 %) in both groups of healthcare workers. The median hair concentrations of both minerals for the entire cohort were at the lower limit of the reference range. Emergency healthcare workers had significantly lower levels of Mg and K (Mg – p = 0.014, K – p = 0.001) and a significantly higher psychoemotional burnout index (р = 0.015) compared to controls. The study demonstrated a direct significant correlation between Mg and K levels (r = 0.641) and inverse correlations between each mineral and the burnout index (Mg – r = – 0.652, К – r = – 0.461). Conclusions. The nearly identical mode­rate deficiency in Mg and K intake, coupled with their pronounced deficiency in the hair of emergency healthcare workers, suggests these minerals are utilized during stress. The significant inverse correlations between the psychoemotional burnout index and the Mg and K status of these workers support the possi­bility of mitigating stress effects through dietary optimization and supplementation.