Relationship between psychological and physical work-related stress and urinary biopyrrin levels: A cross-sectional study

The current study sought to clarify the relationship between the self-administered Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) and urinary biopyrrin levels, which are elevated in response to stress. A cross-sectional study was conducted with employees of companies in Kanagawa, Japan. Participants were asked to complete the BJSQ and ad hoc questionnaires, and urinary biopyrrin levels were measured. We investigated the correlations between psychological and physical stress response scores on the BJSQ and urinary biopyrrin levels. Correlations between subscale scores of the BJSQ and urinary biopyrrin levels were then examined. Additionally, differences in urinary biopyrrin levels were examined using ad hoc questionnaires. In total, 105 subjects participated in this study. No correlations were found between stress response scores and urinary biopyrrin levels. For the 2 subscales of the BJSQ (suitable jobs and meaningfulness of work), the higher the score, the higher the urinary biopyrrin levels. Analysis of ad hoc questionnaire results revealed that urinary biopyrrin levels were significantly higher in individuals who requested regular stress checks by urine testing, compared with those that did not. The results suggested that urinary biopyrrin levels may be an indicator of individuals' overadjustment to the work environment. A follow-up study will be necessary to investigate the development of psychiatric disorders in individuals with high urinary biopyrrin levels.