MARKERS OF PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STRESS IN WOMEN OF THE KYIV REGION THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR
Authors:   D.F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Shatilo V.B. , Antoniuk-Shcheglova I.A. ,   D.F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Bondarenko O.V. ,   D.F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Naskalova S.S. ,   D.F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Pisaruk А.V. ,   D.F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Mekhova L.V. ,   D.F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ustymenko A.N. ,   D.F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology NAMS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: August 2023

War-related stress (WSR) leads to disruption of vital physiological functions, which can accelerate the development of age-related pathology and early mortality. Therefore, the study of the impact of SPV on the functioning of various body systems requires an in-depth analysis. The purpose of the study is to assess the level of psycho-emotional stress, anxiety, and depression and to investigate their influence on indicators of endothelial function, lipid, carbohydrate metabolism, autonomic nervous regulation of the cardiovascular system) in women of the Kyiv region during the Russian-Ukrainian war. 56 women aged 30-78 were examined (average age - 53.45 ± 1.6 years), who had been in the Kyiv region without permission since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war (February 24, 2022). The control group consisted of 79 women aged 29-85 years, (average age - 56.46 ± 1.44 years), who were examined before the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2018-2021. Anthropometric parameters, fasting plasma glucose level and standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum lipid concentration, plasma cortisol level were determined. The function of the endothelium of microvessels was studied by the method of laser Doppler flowmetry in a sample with reactive post-occlusion hyperemia, the state of autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system by the method of heart rhythm variability analysis. Psychoemotional state using the PLC-5 scale, Beck depression scale, Spielberger-Hanin test, the state of cognitive function was studied using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) A statistically significant increase in the level of cortisol, as an important marker of WSR, was revealed, compared to the control group. Excessive psycho-emotional stress of the body during the war is also evidenced by the predominance of the sympathetic link of autonomous nervous regulation in women. The development of endothelial dysfunction and the negative impact of WSR on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were confirmed, which was combined with a decrease in mental performance indicators, an increase in the levels of personal and situational anxiety, and depression. An increase in the level of cortisol and the activity of the sympathetic link of the autonomic nervous system indicates the presence of chronic psychoemotional stress, which increases the levels of anxiety and depression, reduces the mental performance of women in war conditions and leads to the development of endothelial dysfunction, disorders of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.