Related Experiment Videos
Coronary heart disease risk factors in urban bus drivers
Insights
Bus drivers face higher risks for coronary heart disease (CHD) due to occupational factors. This study highlights increased hypertension and cardiovascular issues in drivers, suggesting job reassignment for those with health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) poses a significant public health challenge.
- Identifying occupational risk factors is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
- Bus drivers represent a unique occupational group with potential health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in bus drivers compared to skilled workers.
- To analyze differences in hypertension, obesity, and lipid profiles between the two groups.
- To provide evidence for workplace health interventions for bus drivers.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records from 2297 individuals (bus drivers and skilled workers).
- Data collected during annual physical examinations from July 1998 to June 1999.
- Statistical comparison of health parameters including hypertension, body mass index, serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Main Results:
- Bus drivers exhibited significantly higher hypertension rates (56.0%) than skilled workers (30.6%), irrespective of age.
- Elevated prevalence of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia was observed in bus drivers.
- Bus drivers showed a higher incidence of ischemic heart disease (1.7%) compared to skilled workers (0.9%).
Conclusions:
- The occupation of bus driving is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
- Occupational exposure and lifestyle factors may contribute to higher cardiovascular risk in bus drivers.
- Reassignment to non-driving roles is recommended for bus drivers exhibiting signs of cardiovascular illness.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in 2297 bus drivers and skilled workers from the Taipei Municipal Bus Administrative Bureau. Data for this study were compiled from the medical records of annual physical examinations for bus drivers and skilled workers conducted at Taipei Municipal Chronic Disease Hospital during the period from July 1998 to June 1999. The results showed that, after adjustment for age, hypertension rates for bus drivers (56.0%, 986/1361) were significantly greater than for skilled workers (30.6%, 164/536). All age groups demonstrated a similar difference. Significant differences were also noted in body mass index, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and ischemic heart disease between bus drivers and skilled workers. Among bus drivers, the prevalence of obesity was 9.6%, hypercholesterolemia 34.0%, hypertriglyceridemia 69.4% and ischemic heart disease 1.7%. By contrast, among skilled workers, the prevalence of obesity was only 4.6%, hypercholesterolemia 29.9%, hypertriglyceridemia 30.6% and ischemic heart disease 0.9%. These findings suggest that exposure to the occupation of driving a bus may carry an increased risk of CHD and that drivers who develop signs of cardiovascular illness should be transferred to non-driving occupations within the company.