Self-perceived work-related stress and its relation to salivary IgA, cortisol and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol levels among neonatal intensive care nurses.

This study investigated self-perceived work-related stress, along with salivary IgA (s-IgA), cortisol and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG) in 38 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses and 26 general ward (GW) nurses. To adjust for sociodemographic characteristics, the two groups of nurses were strictly matched for age, gender (feminine), average work experience and marital status (unmarried). General fatigue and anxiety were significantly higher, and depressive mood tended to be higher, in NICU nurses compared to GW nurses, based on Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Index scores (p < 0.