Cortisol Levels and Their Association with Workplace Stress in IT Workers

Harish Narayanan; Shankar K; Shenbaga Lalitha Shankar; ShanmugaPriya K; PM Anbumaran; Rajarajeswaran Krishnan

doi:10.55489/njcm.160820255534

Authors

Harish Narayanan Department of Community Medicine, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER), Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9222-4308
Shankar K Department of Community Medicine, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (MAHER), Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2475-5339
Shenbaga Lalitha Shankar Department of Biochemistry, Tagore Medical College & Hospital, Rathinangalam, Chennai, India
ShanmugaPriya K Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sri Lalithambigai Medical College and Hospital, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3910-9381
PM Anbumaran Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3949-5816
Rajarajeswaran Krishnan Department of Emergency Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai, India https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1456-8098

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.160820255534

Keywords:

Cortisol, Occupational stress, IT professionals, Circadian rhythm, Job control, Workplace relationships, HPA axis, Diurnal cortisol

Abstract

Background: Workplace stress is increasingly recognized as a physiological and psychological burden in cognitively demanding occupations such as information technology. Chronic stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and can lead to cortisol dysregulation, measurable through serum biomarkers. Objectives: To evaluate the association between workplace stress and diurnal serum cortisol levels among IT professionals in Chennai, India.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 300 full-time IT professionals aged 25 to 45 years. Participants completed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Management Standards Indicator Tool to assess occupational stress across seven domains. Serum cortisol was measured via chemiluminescent immunoassay at two-time points morning (8–9 AM) and evening (6–7 PM) to evaluate diurnal variation. Associations were analyzed using correlation and multivariate regression, adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and smoking.

Results: Mean cortisol levels were higher in the morning (418.3 ± 96.4 nmol/L) than evening (211.7 ± 85.2 nmol/L). A flattened diurnal rhythm, defined as a morning–evening cortisol difference of less than 150 nmol/L, was observed in 22% of participants. Lower scores in job control, role clarity, and workplace relationships were significantly associated with cortisol dysregulation. Female gender and smoking were additional risk factors.

Conclusions: Serum cortisol alterations reflect psychosocial stress exposure. Diurnal cortisol assessment may serve as a useful biomarker of work-related stress, supporting the need for organizational interventions.

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