Synergy between psychological impact and biochemical manifestation of stress among the COVID-19 pandemic-affected population

Authors

  • Yusuf Saleem Khan
  • Abdullah Alsrhani
  • Salma Kaneez
  • Mahvish Fatima
  • Khalid Iqbal
  • Muharib Alruwaili
  • Aisha Farhana Jouf University

Keywords:

antioxidants, anxiety, cortisol, COVID-19, C-reactive protein, perceived stress, preventive health, thiobarbi

Abstract

Objective: Due to Covid-19 pandemic, many countries around the world experienced an unprecedented increase in stress in the general population. Even after normal life has been reestablished, the new normal is punctuated by severely impacted vulnerable groups. Stress-associated symptoms display an intricate relationship with biochemical modulations, which coordinate the stress response. Identifying these biochemical factors are inherent to deciphering the mode of treatment needed to diminish the healthcare gap resulting from the pandemic.

Methods: We applied psychological measures using the perceived stress (PS) andCovid-19 anxiety (CA) scales and preventive health behavior (PHB) to evaluate stress in the general population. Biochemical markers of stress, i.e., total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), Cortisol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were tested in the serum samples of the participants. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 22.0.

Results: Stress scores for PS, CA and PHB indicate prevalence of moderate to high stress among participants, and a correlation between psychological stress and biochemical correlates, TCA, TBARS, Cortisol, and CRP. Serum concentrations of TBARS, Cortisol, and CRP were found to be significantly increased, while the TAC was decreased across all stress types and levels. Our findings demonstrate a positive correlation between PS, CA, PHB and TBARS, Cortisol, and CRP and a strong negative correlation with TAC.

Conclusion: The results of this study will help in tailoring targeted interventions and preventive regimes to mitigate Covid-19 associated anxiety and stress disorders prevailing even after the actual pandemic has subsided.

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Published

2024-07-01

How to Cite

Yusuf Saleem Khan, Abdullah Alsrhani, Salma Kaneez, Mahvish Fatima, Khalid Iqbal, Muharib Alruwaili, & Farhana, A. (2024). Synergy between psychological impact and biochemical manifestation of stress among the COVID-19 pandemic-affected population: . International Journal of Health Sciences, 18(4), 46–57. Retrieved from https://pub.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/8600

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (2024): Jul-Aug

Section

Original Paper

License

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