Author/Authors :
Aalaa, Maryam Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Najmi Varzaneh, Farnaz Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Maghbooli, Zhila Osteoporosis Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Samandari, Neda Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Mostafavi, Ashraf School of Nursing and Midwifery - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Salemi, Sedigheh School of Nursing and Midwifery - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Mehrdad, Neda Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Sanjari, Mahnaz Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: High level of perceived stress in nurses is due to a genetic predisposition and environmental stressors. The aim of
NURSE (Nursing Unacquainted Related Stress Etiologies) study was to investigate the association of C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism
and stress perception among nurses.
Methods: In this comprehensive study, 216 female nurses were recruited. Perceived stress was assessed using the Cohen Perceived
Stress Scale (PSS). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and MTHFR genotype was detected by the polymerase chain
reaction.
Results: MTHFR C677T genotype analysis revealed that half of the participants had normal C/C genotype, and the remaining half
presented higher frequencies of C/T genotype (39.8%) compared to T/T genotype (10.2%). The mean±SD stress score in morning
shift, night shift, and rotation was 15.39±4.75, 15.92±4.94, and 15.83±5.61, respectively (p= 0.7). Perceived stress score was more in
highly educated group but it was not significant (p= 0.2). Distribution of different MTHFR genotypes in diverse groups revealed that
in groups with more stress score, the frequency of heterozygote (C/T) and homozygote (T/T) genotypes increased. Data revealed that
in low stress category, 87% of the participants had a normal genotype. However, in high stress category, 71.3% of the participants had
a normal genotype.
Conclusion: MTHFR genotype, independent of folate availability and probable confounding parameters, might be a potential risk
factor of perceived stress among nurses.
