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Introduction: Production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species is an integral part of aerobic metabolism. Disturbance of the balance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant system against them produces oxidative stress. Paraquat toxicity is induction of oxidative stress. However, the aim of our study was to evaluate oxidative stress in blood samples of workers in a pesticide factory formulating paraquat.
Materials and Methods: In this study we measured lipid peroxidation (LPO) with thiobarbituric assay (TBARS), total antioxident power (FRAP) and SH groups between workers in pesticide factories (case group) and health subjects (control group).
Results: Oxidative stress was significantly higher (p<0.001) in LPO, significantly lower (p<0.001) in TBARS and significantly lower (p<0.001) in SH groups in the case group compared to control group
Conclusion: It is concluded that chronic exposure of workers in their workplace to paraquat producess oxidative stress that could be prevented by well known nutritional antioxidant supplements.

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Introduction: stress in the natural reflection of living creatures against internal and external motivations while stress hormones are secretion through cardiovascular, every production, and security systems. Some stress producing factors are muscular activities, anesthetics, surgery, starvation, water deprivation, etc. Thus, we studied effect of prenatal water deprivation stress on hormone level and sexual dimorphic nucleus in male rats. Materials and methods: In an experimental design, adult female and male Wistar rats (180 gr) acquired from Pastor institute and were coupled. Pregnant rats were divided randomly into control and experimental groups. Both groups were maintained under a controlled temperature (20±2°C) and photoperiod (13:11h, light: dark) conditions. Controlled group had food and water available ad lib, but experimental group had access to food and were deprived of water from the beginning of third week of pregnancy to the end of week. At 42 days at birth, male rats were slight anesthetic in order to prepare the blood and morphometric evaluations. Results: Plasma testosterone average level in experimental group was less than controlled groups (p<0.001), while in the comparison between experimental and controlled groups, progesterone indicates significant increment (p<0.001). There is no statistically significant regarding Estradiol level between both groups. Historical study indicated that the decreased size and number of neurons of MPO and Sch nuclei were significant in experimental compared to controlled ones. Conclusion: Prenatal water deprivation through affecting MPO and Sch nuclei, approximate inhibition of nuclei and decrease in secretion of Testosterone cause the emergence unusual sexual behavior and similar female sexual behaviors in male experimental rats in the postnatal and maturity.

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Introduction: Considering the importance of diagnosing fetal distress and knowing diagnostic methods with minimum cost and time and high diagnostic value, this study was performed to evaluate the vibroacoustic stimulation test ( VAST) value in predicting fetal distress in women in active phase of labor, reffering to Motazedi hospital, Kermanshah, 2004.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was carried out on women in active phase of labor (dilatation >3-4), full term, single fetus, cephalic presentation, without previous diseases and also abnormal fetus. At first FHR was monitored for 15 minutes, then vibroacoustic stimulation was done for 3 seconds using an artificial larynx of Seimens Servox with high - pitch intensity equal to 105 dB. Results were recorded as non reactive and reactive FHR ( twice 15 beats acceleration for 15 seconds). Other variables such as type of delivery, 1 and 5 minutes Apgar, meconium passing and nuch cord were documented. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and diagnostic value test.
Results: Age of women was 25.2 ±5.8, number of pregnancy 1.94 ± 1.33 and 51.8% of them had one pregnancy. FHR before VAST was 61.1% reactive and 26.3% suspicious and after VAST 60.8% reactive and 5.3% suspicious. In VAST method sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic value were 88.3%, 70% and 75.5% respectively and in nonVAST method 68.3%, 66.5%, 23.6%.
Conclusion: This study showed that VAST can assist to reduce suspicious cases of FHR.The prognostic value of VAST in predicting fetal distress was high. It is recommended to carry out further researches about duration and intensity of sound and using periodic FHR

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Introduction: The reported 12 months prevalence of low back pain in nurses ranges from 43% to 76%. In most researches physical factors were only a part of high prevalence of low back pain in nurses. This study was conducted to determine the association between occupational stress and low back pain in nurses. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 80 nurses as case group and 80 nurses as control group were selected via convenience sampling. Case group were defined as those subjects who had experienced low back pain in the last 12 months. Control group were defined as those subjects who had not experienced low back pain in the last 12 months. A questionnaire was used for data collection which consistsed of 3 sections: demographic information, history of low back pain and occupational stress. Data was analyzed using paired T, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests, correlation coefficient and one way ANOVA Results: Results indicated that, there was an association between low back pain and occupational stress (p<0/01).Also an association existed between low back pain and working hours per month (p<0/05). Statistical tests showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, marital status, number of childbirth, number of pregnancy, smoking, sport, work shift, number of years spent in the hospital (nursing experience). Conclusion: Results indicated that occupational stress in case group was more than control group. Since there was not any significant difference between other factors and low back pain, it can be concluded that there is an association between low back pain and occupational stress.

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Introduction: Oxidative stress may play a critical role in neurodegenerative disorders but the relation between oxidative stress and learning ability in normal rats is not investigated, so the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between oxidative stress and two way active avoidance learning in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: This is an experimental research. 14 Wistar rats were assigned for assessed learning ability in shuttle box. One day after shuttle box learning, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were obtained. Concentration of Nitric Oxide and Ferric reduction/antioxidant power were assessed. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation test. Results: The results of the present study demonstrate that there are positive correlation between shuttle box learning ability and Ferric reduction/antioxidant power (p<0.001, r =0.66 4) and Nitric Oxide concentration (p<0.001, r = 0.724) in serum, but not in CSF. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that high concentration of antioxidant power and Nitric Oxide concentration in blood can improve shuttle box learning in rats

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Introduction:Final examinations are important stressors in schools and universities that result in different psychoneuroimmunological outcomes but the study of these effects on children has not been paid enough attention to. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of final examinations on salivary immunoglubulin A in children. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial a total of 100 children (50 boys, 50 girls) in 5th grade, aged less than 12 years from two primary schools of 5th educational district in Tehran were choosen randomly. The subjects completed Test Anxiety Scales of Sarason & Abolghasemi. After making sure of their physical and mental health by reviewing their medical history, clinical examinations and after controlling sleep, food, drug and sport variables, based on time series design, salivary IgA samples were taken five times as followed: one week before and then three times through mathematics, history and science exams and at last one week after passing the exams at, 9 to 10 am. IgA samples were analyzed by nephlometry method. Data was analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Findings indicated that IgA level was decreased significantly during examinations comparing to IgA levels before and after examinations (p=0.01). The relations of sex and anxiety scores were not statistically significant. It means that decreased IgA levels are the same in all children. Conclusion: Final examinations as a stress resource, diminishes IgA and this change is not related to sex and test anxiety score.

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Introduction: The use of complementary and alternative therapy is increasing and touch is one of them but several studies have indicated that premature neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit receive very little touch. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of touch on arterial blood oxygen saturation in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. Materials and Methods: This is a clinical trial with repeated measures that was performed on 37 neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. An information record form was used for data collection. The information record form was consisted of two parts: demographic information and a table for recording oxygen saturations. Oxygen saturation was measured by Nelkor pulse oxy meter. Information was collected in 3 sequential days. Arterial blood oxygen saturation was controlled 5 minutes before touch, then samples undergone 5 minutes touch and then in 5 and 15 minute intervals arterial blood oxygen saturation was controlled again. Data was analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA. Results: Findings showed that in the first day, arterial blood oxygen saturation in 5 minutes before, and 5 and 15 minutes after touch were 95/67, 95/91, 96 respectively. In second day, arterial blood and oxygen saturation in 5 minutes before, and 5 and 15 minutes after touch were 95/72, 96/05, 96/08 respectively. In third day, arterial blood oxygen saturation in 5 minutes before, and 5 and 15 minutes after touch were 95/75, 96/16, 96/13 respectively. Arterial blood oxygen saturation in 5 and 15 minutes after touch were more than 5 minutes before touch in each 3 day(p<0.01). But there was no significant difference between 5 and 15 minutes after touch. Data analysis also showed no significant difference comparing arterial blood oxygen saturation in the 3 days. Conclusion: Findings suggested that premature neonates physiologically responded to touch. Nurses working in NICUs must be educated about the importance of touch in providing care for these neonates. Findings showed that touch is useful for premature neonates and this fact can be a start point for other investigations.

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Introduction: Stress is a condition that causes tension, disturbance in body and mind, discomfort and dissatisfaction. There are differences between stresses in the form of great life events and small daily stressful events. Regarding extension and variation of stresses in different parts of country, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and severity of stresses in central areas of Iran. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional analythical study carried out on 6000 people older than 19 years old, selected from urban and rural areas of Isfahan, Arak and Najaf Abad on 2002, as a part of evaluation of the Healthy Heart program. Sampling method was cluster random sampling. Data was collected using GHQ-12 and stressors' type and severity questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi square. Results: Of the total subjects under study %50.6 were male, and %49.4 female, with a mean age of 40.47±15.68 and 40.25±15.15 years respectivly. The proportion of women with high GHQ score was higher than men, which was more pronounced in Arak than the two other cities. There were also higher stress levels in unmarried and urban people. (p0.05)The most prevalent stressor included economical, social and job-related issues and the most severe were death, family related and economical events. Conclusion: This study on stress as an indicator of lifestyle reveals high stress levels in the population, which warrants appropriate planning and community-based interventions, to improve lifestyle and reduce stress.

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Background: In the recent years, oxidative stress was attended as one of the causal factors of ischemic stroke. In terms of the role of genetic, geographic and ethnic factors in the prevalence of stroke, This study was designed to compare the oxidative stress indexes of stroke patients with normal healthy subjects in this geographic area. Methods and Materials: In this case-control study, 36 patients older than 50 years with ischemic stroke and 45 healthy subjects with same age and sex, were enrolled. Five milliliter blood were drawn from all subjects. Samples were centrifuged and plasma was separated. Total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and thiol levels were measured respettively by FRAP, TBA and HU methods. Then the result was analyzed using t-test. Results: Results showed total antioxidant capacity and thiol plasma levels were lower in stroke patients in compare to healthy subjects, but only the thiol group had significant difference(P=0/001). Although lipid peroxidation showed a slight but non-significant difference in stroke patients in compare to control group. Conclusion: These findings suggest oxidative stress in patients with acute ischemic stroke may be conseaqence of an imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis. Therefore it may be useful to recommend antioxidant medications or diet for these patients.

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  Background: Imbalance between the production of free radicals and the antioxidant defense system causes oxidative stress. The cardamom is the fruit of the Elettaria cardamomum maton which probably has an antioxidant property. Aim of this study is assess of effect of cardamom- tea watery extract on oxidative stress.

  Methods and Materials : This clinical trial research was carried out on 54 persons. Firstly 5ml venous blood was collected and the parameter of the oxidative stress in their blood was evaluated. Then they were given every day 3 grams of cardamom and 1 gram of tea as like as 100 ml cardamom- tea watery extract for two weeks. After 2 weeks 5 ml blood was collected and the parameters of oxidative stress in their blood serum was evaluted for the second time. The parameters of first and second group of bloods were compared by SPSS software.

  Results : The mean of total antioxidant capacity of serum before and after cardamom- tea extract were 1.96 ± 0.64 m mol/ml and 2.23 ± 0.46 m mol/ml respectively (p=0.009). The mean of lipid peroxidation before and after cardamom- tea were 14.97 ± 3.58 nmol/ml and 12.07 ± 5.91 nmol/ml respectively (p=0/002). The mean of total thiol group before and after cardamom- tea were 0.224 ± 0.200, 0.266 ± 0.166nmol respectively (p=0.141).

  Conclusion: The cardamom- tea reduces the amount of lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidant markedly. So, the cardamom- tea decreases the amount of oxidative stress in blood. Ther- fore the cardamom- tea in the people diet is usful.

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Background: Diabetic patients face many challenges related to their illness and treatment in their life. So they need to use coping strategies for adjustment. The purpose of this study was determined the coping styles among diabetic Iranian patients. Methods and Materials: In a case-control study, 100 consecutive diabetic patients admitted to Amin and Sedigheh Taherah Medical Centers, Isfahan, were selected based on the inclusive and exclusive criteria and compared with one hundred normal people who selected from general population. Data collected by using demographic questionnaire, the Jalowiec Coping Scale, then MANCOVA and co-variance were used to analyze the data. Results: Difference between two groups in coping styles were significant (F=2.835, p=0.005). Significant differences was in supportant coping style (F=11.204, p=0.001). There was no significant difference in other coping styles between two groups. Conclusion: It seems that the diabetic patients likely differ from normal people only in supportant coping style when deal with daily stress. But they are similar to normal people in other coping styles. In addition, both groups use problem solving styles when deal with daily stress. The findings emphasis the role of illness representation to determine coping styles.

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Background: The role of sex hormones in pain perception and the effect of stress on reproductive system have not been determined yet. The present study investigated the effects of acute and chronic restraint stress on nociception and sex hormones concentration in rats. Methods and Materials: This experimental study was carried out with 47 male and female rats which ranged in weight from 170-230 gr. In order to transmit stress to the rats, they were initially exposed to acute restraint stress (1h) and chronic stress (for two weeks-1h/day). Then they were submitted to tail flick test for nociception evaluation. Sex hormones serum level was measured by radioimmunoassay method. Results were analyzed with Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: In male and female rats, acute restraint stress had significant increment in latency in the tail flick test. Chronically stress in male rats, was not significant effect on latency time. Chronically stress in females responded to restraint stress with an increase in tail flick latency. Both acute and chronic restraint stress reduced testosterone level in the male rats. In the female rats, only acute restraint stress significantly decrease plasma estradiol level. Restraint stress did not effect on testosterone concentration level in the female and estradiol level in the male rats. Conclusion: Acute restrain stress decrease nociceptive and sex hormon levels in male and female rate but, chronic restraint stress causes sex dependent response.

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Background: Researches showed that there is a relationship among alopecia areata, psychological factors and prevalence of psychological disorders. In addition alopecia areata has a great effect on the quality of life of these patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy on female patients`s the quality of life with alopecia areata. Methods and Materials: This is a case-control study with pre and post-test exam which is carried out in Isfahan Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis Research Centre. The participants consisted of 20 alopecia areata patients diagnosed by specialists. The questionnaire was Skindex-16 which was completed by patients before and after the intervention. Cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy was done on the case group in eight sessions over a period of two months. Data was analyzed with covariance (ANOVA). Results: The mean of quality of life scores in experimental group in v.s control group significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems, cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy couses in quality of life improvement in patients with alopecia areata.

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Abstract Background: Oxidative stress is strongly related to diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of experimental diabetes on oxidative stress indexes in the heart tissue and effect of regular swimming on it. Materials and Methods: In experimental-practical study, 40 male Wister rats divided to four groups (n=10): control, control with exercise, diabetic, diabetic with exercise. Diabetes was induced by a single dose injection of Streptozotocin (50mg/Kg, i.p). Study time was 8 weeks. At the end of period, rats were anesthetized by Sodium Pentobarbital (50mg/Kg, i.p) and left ventricle dissociated and maintenance in -80 ºC. Super oxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxides (GPX), Glutathione Reductase (GR) and Catalase (CAT) activities as enzymatic antioxidant status and Malonyl Dealdehyde (MDA) level as index of lipid peroxidation of the tissue in superior layer of tissue homogenization were measured. Results: Diabetes induction significantly reduced CAT and GR activities in heart tissue of diabetic rats compared with control. Also MDA level increased significantly in diabetic-non exercised rats compared with control. Total Glutathione level was similar in all groups. Conclusion: Swimming by preventing in reduction of CAT and GR activities and MDA level of heart tissue has beneficial effects in prevention of cardiovascular complications caused by oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus.

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Background: Psychological interventions may improve the quality of life in females with temporal lobe epilepsy through affecting their bio-psycho-social dimensions. This aim of this study was to aim assess the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) group education on improvement of quality of life in epileptic patients. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study with pre-post-and follow-up tests. The sample population included 26 patients, already diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy by neurologist and through electro-encephalography, that were randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected through the Quality Of Life Questionnaire for Epileptic patients (QOLIE- 89) that was administered in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test. CBSM group education was given to the experimental group in ten sessions during two months. Results: The mean of QOLIE-89 score in the experimental group showed a significantly higher increase in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrated the effectiveness of CBSM group education on the improvement of quality of life in females with temporal lobe epilepsy.

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Background: Among respiratory support techniques, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and mechanical ventilation (MV) are more known for their effectivity in reducing complications associated with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Moreover, early application of NCPAP and administration of surfactant are effective in decreasing the need for MV and its adverse effects. This study was designed to compare NCPAP and MV after administration of surfactant in preterm neonates with RDS. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 preterm neonates (<32 weeks) were evaluated. After receiving one dose of surfactant (4 cc/kg), the subjects were randomly divided into treatment and control groups, and respiratory support was established via positive airway pressure or MV. Results: There were no significant differences between the neonates in the two groups in terms of gestational age and birth weight. The mean duration of MV was significantly lower in the treatment group (p=0.001). On day 3, the number of ventilator-dependent neonates in the control group was more (26.7% versus 83.3%). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the number of second surfactant doses, mortality rate, and the number of patients who had developed short-term complications during hospital stay. Conclusion: In a significant number of preterm babies with RDS, NCPAP can be extubated after receiving one dose of surfactant. This is a potentially useful modality for respiratory support with a low mortality and morbidity rate and limited complications in very premature infants.

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Background: Research has shown that healthy individuals with no known cardiovascular risk factors who experience a stressful life are likely to develop cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, stress can be one of the most important risk factors involved in cardiovascular diseases. This study evaluated the possible effects of chronic stress induced by obligatory swimming and noise on coronary arteries histological changes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental trial, male Wistar rats were exposed to two different types of chronic stresses, including physical obligatory swim stress and psychological noise stress. After the last stress session, the rats were examined in terms of the ratio of the vessel lumen diameter to outer diameter, ratio of media diameter to outer diameter, ratio of adventitia diameter to outer diameter, and ratio of wall thickness to outer diameter of vessels. Results: Obligatory swimming stress and noise stress each significantly increased the ratio of media diameter to the outer diameter of vessels (P<0.001) and decreased the ratio of vessels lumen diameter to the outer diameter (P<0.05). Swimming stress and noise stress induced increases in the ratio of wall thickness to the outer diameter of vessels (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). In addition, swimming stress significantly increased the ratio of adventitia diameter to the outer diameter of vessels (P<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that chronic stress can induce coronary vessel remodelling which results in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases

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Background: Stress gradually makes immune system weak and suppresses it, therefore makes body susceptible to various types of diseases, and may delay the healing of the wound. The aim of this study was to show the effects of cold and immobilization stresses on wound healing in Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: In an interventional study 30 female Balb/c mice were divided into 3 groups randomly. First and second groups were exposed to cold and immobilization stresses respectively and third group (control group) left with no stress. Wound healing was checked every other day and compared with each other. Results: Results showed that the mean of wound sizes of stressed groups was bigger than control group (p<0.05).The wounds healing duration was 11 days in control group and 15 days in test groups. Conclusions:Stress has negative effect on wound healing, therefore a peaceful and calm environment is recommended for patients with serious injuries.

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Background: Biochemical studies have shown that iron produces reactive oxygen species via Haber-Weiss and Fenton reactions. The goal of this study is to examine the role of iron in oxidation of human hemoglobin and its structural changes in erythrocytes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, blood samples from healthy subjects were incubated aerobically with the iron containing metal catalyzed oxidation (MCO) system in the presence of 0.036, 0.7, 0.14, 0.28, 0.57, 1.14, 2.28, 4.55, 9.09, and 18.18 micromole of iron. Structural changes in Hb were followed by spectrophotometric analysis from 300 to 650 nm. In addition, carbonyl assay was performed for estimation of protein oxidation in globin chains. Results: Based on the results, oxy-Hb decreased up to 68% in iron-treated erythrocytes. Decrease in the absorbance ratio (A577, A542 wavelength) indicated the conversion of oxy-Hb to met-Hb. Also, met-Hb concentration was 4.7 fold of hemichrome. After 24 hours of incubation, oxyHb concentration decreased up to 50% and metHb concentration increased up to 85%. Moreover, increase in iron concentration resulted in significant carbonyl formation in hemoglobin. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Hb oxidation instead of its oxygenation leads to anemia and hypoxia. The findings of this study may be directly applicable to oxidation states during hemolytic diseases and iron treatment.

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Background: A lot of research has been done on the post-traumatic stress, but few studies have investigated the effect of chronic stress disorders on physical and psychological health. This study investigated the combined interactive effects of chronic stress disorders and mental disorders on somatoform disorders reporting among employees at Isfahan Steel Company. Materials and Methods: In this correlational study, 189 employees in Isfahan Steel Company wwere selected according to the stratified random sampling method and completed demographic characteristics, chronic stress disorders of Cohen, Karmark, and Mermelstein, and mental disorders and somatoform disorders of Barling, Loughlin, and Kelloway questionnaires in 2011. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression. Results: Results showed significant internal correlations among chronic stress disorders, mental disorders, and somatoform disorders (p<0.01). In addition, by controlling for demographic variables, the results of hierarchical regression analysis showed the interactive effect of chronic stress disorders and mental disorders on reporting somatoform disorders to be significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that chronic stress disorders have a positive relationship with reporting somatoform disorders both in experiencing and not experiencing psychological disorders however, this relationship was stronger when employees in addition to chronic stress disorders experienced psychological disorders.