Prevalence of burnout by social demographic factors and salivary biomarkers through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in military police officers of the São Paulo health care team who worked during Covid-19

Análise de biomarcadores salivares, através da espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier, como ferramenta de diagnóstico de burnout em policiais militares do quadro de saúde de São Paulo que atuaram na pandemia do Covid-19, segundo indicadores sociodemográficos

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Study the prevalence of burnout and the salivary biomarkers in military police officers in the São Paulo health-care team who worked during the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Method:

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 104 participants distinguished by age, skin color, gender, military rank, function performed, length of service, use of medications, smoking, alcohol consumption, and income. The analysis of the social demographic data collected used an adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory and saliva examination through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The statistical tests of chi-square, PLS-DA, and hypothesis were fixed at the 95% confidence.

Results:

The social demographic indicators presented statistical association with burnout, with chi-square 62.72 (p<0.05). The prevalence of burnout (80.77%) and risk of development (19.23%) were observed. The presence of biomarkers in saliva (amide, genetic fragments and polysaccharides) in those experiencing burnout aligned with current literature.

Conclusion:

Of the total sample, 80.77% had burnout and 19.23% risk of developing the disease. Young white women, in the role of health assistants, with median income between 3 and 6 times the minimum wage and with less than 10 years of service`s length had the highest prevalence of burnout in relation to their peers. There was an association of social demographic indicators with measured stress levels. Salivary biomarkers were also associated with stress in the initial phase of burnout. There is a pressing need for further studies, aiming to support greater knowledge for this population researched.

Indexing terms
Covid-19; Burnout, psychological; Mental health