Copeptin and Psychological Stress of Medic During COVID-19 Pandemic
Condition: Psychological Stress; Hemostatic Disorder
MeSH terms: COVID-19; Diabetes Insipidus; Hemostatic Disorders; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Stress, Psychological
Study type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Summary: 
      Psychological stress (PSS) is one of the most common problems among healthcare providers
      during COVID-19 pandemic. PSS influences the homeostatic equilibrium of the body, involving
      activation of the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis.
      Copeptin; C-terminal portion of Vasopressin (AVP) precursor is stable. Nevertheless, Evidence
      about influence of PSS on copeptin levels is lacking. The reason we are doing this research
      is to determine the level of psychological stress among healthcare providers exposed to at
      the time of work in intensive care unit (ICU) during COVID-19 pandemic; They will be
      appraised every assembly for psychological stress level; before start of duty shifts (first
      time), one week after start (second time) and two weeks after departure from shift duties in
      ICU (third time) for assessment of psychological stress level and stress hormones.
    

Detailed description: 
      A total of 70 healthcare personnel volunteers participated; 35 physicians and 35 nurses. All
      healthcare providers' volunteers are in good physical health, Exclusion criteria included
      hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity BMI ≥30, subjects with serum sodium ≤135 or ≥ 145
      mmol /L at baseline or females receiving contraceptive pills.

      During the research participants will answer a questionnaire as well as three blood samples
      are taken.

        -  In the first meeting, evaluation of participant general condition; determining BMI,
           blood pressure. Then a small amount of blood, equal to about two millimeters, will be
           taken from participant arm with a syringe. This blood will be tested for serum copeptin,
           cortisol (fasting morning sample). The investigator will ask participant few questions
           to evaluate the level of stress (as anxiety, insomnia, fear of infection through
           questionnaire)

        -  The second meeting, one week after work in ICU, another blood sample will be taken from
           participant and determine level of psychological stress.

        -  The third meeting, two weeks after leave from ICU participant blood sample will be taken
           from participant to determine stress hormones and determine level of psychological
           stress.

      Duration

      The research takes place over six months in total.
    

Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Healthcare providers worked in ICU: 35 physicians (28 males and 7 females) and 35 nurses
        (10 males and 25 females). Age ranged from 24 to 37 years All volunteers were in good
        physical health Exclusion criteria included hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity BMI
        ≥30, subjects with serum sodium ≤135 or ≥ 145 mmol /L at baseline or females receiving
        contraceptive pills.

        Group Information healthcare providers designated to take duty shifts at ICU in Alexandria
        quarantine hospitals for two weeks during COVID-19 pandemic. And a control group of
        healthcare providers not assigned to work in quarantine hospitals.

        First assembly one day before enrolling to work in ICU. Second assembly at the end of first
        week of work, third assembly two weeks after departure from work in ICU
      
Keywords: psychological stress; copeptin; hormones