Melatonin Mystery Key to A Sleepless Stress: A Cross-Sectional Study among Emergency Doctors of LUMHS, Sindh, Pakistan

Effects of Melatonin on Doctors Working in Emergency Department

Abstract

Objective: To find the relationship of serum melatonin with circadian rhythm disruption (insomnia) and stress-related disorder (PTSD) and to find the relationship between serum levels of melatonin with PTSD and insomnia. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: Physiology Department of LUMHS, in collaboration with clinical wards and D R (Diagnostic Research) Lab at LUMHS. Duration: August 2021 to March 2022. Methods: The participants were adult male and female doctors performing emergency duties at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Science Jamshoro and Hyderabad, using an array of methods and techniques, questionnaire, and serum samples. Data were collected for serum melatonin, PTSD score, and ISI (Insomnia severity index) score for 116 participants. Data were analysed by using SPSC 26.0 software. Results: A total of 116 participants, out of which 48 (41.3%) were male and 68 (58.6%) were female, The mean age was 36.65 years, and the mean BMI was 29.39. We found that strong negative correlation between serum Melatonin and PTSD (r value= -.907**) with (P=0.001), a negative correlation of serum melatonin with insomnia (-.585**) and we also found a relationship with all these variables which shows a strong dependency. We also found out the prevalence of PTSD (13.71%) and Insomnia (42.25%) with (P=0.0001) and their dependency on departmental variations and the effect of work schedule. Conclusion: This study concludes serum melatonin is linked directly to variables, and then it can be used as primary prevention and potential adjuvant therapy for stress & insomnia.