Effects of occupational stress factors on the function of thyroid and liver among petroleum refining and petrochemical workers

Objective To investigate the association between occupational stress factors and the level of thyroid function and liver function in petroleum refining and petrochemical workers. Methods A total of 353 petroleum refining workers were investigated by occupational stress indicator question-naire (OSI-R) , and their level of thyroid and liver function were measured. Results With the incre-ase of task control, decision control, environmental control, resource control and technology utilization score, the TT4 concentration level decreased (P<0.05) . The TT4 concentration level increased with the increase of the quantiontive load, load changes, job hazards, job prospects, promation opportunities and participaction decision rating (P<0.05) . The total protein concentration level decreased with the increase of task control, decision control, environmental control, resource control, quantitative load, load change, promotion opportunity and participation decision value (P<0.05) , increased with the use degree of technology, work risk, job monotonous, work prospects score rised (P<0.05) . And there were statistically significant differences in the job requirements and job control scores between the low, middle and high levels of occupational factors (P<0.05) . Conclusion Occupational stress factors of petroleum refining workers have certain influence on the level of thyroid and liver function index. Key words: Petroleam refining wokers; Occupational stress factors; Thyroid function; Liver function