Physiological and Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Burnout Among ICU Staff During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Sweden—An Observational Study
Authors' conclusion
Chronic, physiological stress measured as HCC was not different due to sex, profession or deployment status. Anxiety and burnout were frequent and depression was reported by a minority. HCC did not correlate with PS, anxiety, depression or burnout.
Study context
- Population
- ICU staff working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
- Participants
- 274 participants
- Exposure
- Females vs males, nurses vs non-nursing, ordinary vs deployed staff
- Outcome
- Chronic, physiological stress measured as hair cortisol concentrations (HCC)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HCC · 3 months
Median hair cortisol concentrations (HCC), pg/mg [IQR 21.3-62.3]
32.6
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Anxiety and depression
- Anxiety detected
- 19%
- Depression detected
- 4%
Perceived stress (PS) score
- PS score [18.25-29.0], higher than previously reported normative data
- 23.5
Burnout
- Burnout driven by low personal accomplishment
Correlation of HCC with PS, anxiety, depression, burnout
- No correlations found
Original publication
Physiological and Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Burnout Among ICU Staff During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Sweden—An Observational Study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. Published 23 June 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →