ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between monoamine neurotransmitter and cytokine levels and the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among operating room nurses. METHODS: A total of 131 nursing staff were selected and assigned into the PTSD, non-PTSD, and control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to determine the monoamine neurotransmitters in plasma and serum cytokines. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to assess the sensitivity and specificity of neurotransmitters and cytokines in the clinical detection of PTSD among operating room nurses. Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were used to evaluate the correlation between neurotransmitter and cytokine levels and the clinical characteristics of operating room nurses with PTSD. RESULTS: Our study found that the monoamine neurotransmitters and cytokines among nurses in the PTSD group were significantly higher than those in the non-PTSD and control group. Neurotransmitter and cytokine levels as clinical predictors of PTSD among operating room nurses have good sensitivity and specificity, and were negatively correlated with cognitive function and resilience. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study confirm that monoamine neurotransmitter and cytokine levels are correlated with the occurrence of PTSD among operating room nurses.
