Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether perceived stress in the workplace can be a risk factor able to change the blood counts in a group of male and female outdoor workers of the Municipal Police. The study examines possible relations among the levels of stress, as inferred from the scores of the questionnaire, blood counts and voluptuary habits.
Methods: We evaluated a final sample of 486 subjects (345 males and 141 females). During the medical examination was performed for each subject: a) the administration of the questionnaire to assess the perception of work-related stress, b) the collection of clinical.anamnestic information related to the consumption of coffee, chocolate, alchool and smoking habit, c) the taking of a venous blood sample. All workers included in the study were divided into three groups on the basis of the scores of the questionnaire.
Results: About 61% of workers showed a moderate or severe stress condition, with a statistically significant prevalence (p<0.05) of female workers and younger subjects. The increase of perceived stress coincided with a significant decrease (p <0.05) of the mean levels of white blood cells and with a significant increase (p <0.05) of the consumption of coffee, chocolate and smoking habit. There was no statistically significant differences for alcohol consumption.
Conclusions: The results show that the stress induces a reduction of the white blood cells, an increase of coffee and chocolate consumption and of smoking.