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Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 6/2009

01-05-2009 | Original Article

Blood natural killer activity is reduced in men with occupational stress and job insecurity working in a university

Authors: Paolo Boscolo, Angela Di Donato, Luca Di Giampaolo, Laura Forcella, Marcella Reale, Vincenzo Dadorante, Francesca Alparone, Stefano Pagliaro, Maria Kouri, Andrea Magrini, Emanuela Fattorini

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2009

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the immune response to job strain and insecurity of 88 men working in a university, divided according to age and type of employment.

Methods

Anxiety, job strain, job insecurity and subjective symptoms were measured by questionnaires. Blood NK cytotoxic activity was determined by an in vitro method and lymphocyte subpopulations by flow-cytometry analysis.

Results

Employees (over 40 years old) in a library showed higher values of job strain, anxiety and subjective symptoms and lower blood NK activity than the controls. The young employees with temporary employment showed high job insecurity and reduced blood NK activity, while the young sanitary staff with temporary position showed normal immune response. NK cytotoxic activity of the recruited men was negatively correlated with anxiety, work load and job insecurity.

Conclusions

Not only anxiety and depression but also high levels of job strain and/or insecurity may affect the health status by reducing blood NK activity.
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Metadata
Title
Blood natural killer activity is reduced in men with occupational stress and job insecurity working in a university
Authors
Paolo Boscolo
Angela Di Donato
Luca Di Giampaolo
Laura Forcella
Marcella Reale
Vincenzo Dadorante
Francesca Alparone
Stefano Pagliaro
Maria Kouri
Andrea Magrini
Emanuela Fattorini
Publication date
01-05-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0374-5

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