Natural killer (NK) cell activity and NK cell subsets in workers with a tendency of burnout

J Psychosom Res. 1999 Jun;46(6):569-78. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3999(99)00009-4.

Abstract

The involvement of cellular immunity in the burnout syndrome remains to be elucidated. We assessed three components of burnout of the Maslach Burnout Inventory: emotional exhaustion; depersonalization (DP); and personal accomplishment, as well as natural killer cell activity (NKCA) and NK cell subsets in 42 male workers. Workers with a higher DP score showed a lower NKCA and a lower proportionality of CD57+CD16+ to total lymphocytes. There were no differences in any of the health behaviors (e.g., smoking, alcohol, or obesity) between workers showing higher burnout and those showing lower burnout. A stepwise multiple regressions analysis demonstrated that NKCA was closely correlated with DP, independent of other variables, including a stress index. These results suggest that the relationship between reduced cellular immunity and DP is not due to traditional work stress or health behavioral problems. Further studies on DP as a psychosomatic disorder as well as an occupational health problem should be performed in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Burnout, Professional / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / physiology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stress, Psychological / immunology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Workplace

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD