Individual differences in adrenaline/noradrenaline reactivity and self-perceived health status.

The excretion rate of adrenaline and noradrenaline in urine was tested at 168 male workers of various professions at the age of 20 years up to 60 years, during daily work and on a free Sunday. It has been shown that adrenaline and noradrenaline excretion rates increase with age. The differential reactivity of adrenaline and of noradrenaline are not related to age. The differential reactivity of adrenaline, but not noradrenaline is related to the self-reported health status of the subject, measured several weeks before the field study itself. It is not related to absenteeism. In special studies on busdrivers a differential reactivity in adrenaline was found with respect to absenteeism. The results of the present study indicate, that this effect is probably accounted for by the component of health and wellbeing that is incorporated in the absenteeism figures.