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Current work hours and coronary artery calcification (CAC): The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Penelope J Allison1, Neal W Jorgensen2, Desta Fekedulegn1
1Bioanalytics Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Insights
Long work hours did not show an association with coronary artery calcification (CAC) in this study. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between work hours and cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Long work hours are a potential risk factor for adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease.
- Previous research suggests a link between extended working hours and negative health effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-sectional associations between current work hours and coronary artery calcification (CAC).
- To determine if longer work hours are linked to the presence or severity of coronary artery calcification.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 3046 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
- Assessed work hours via questionnaire and coronary artery calcification (CAC) using computed tomography.
- Employed log-binomial regression and analysis of covariance to model CAC probability and scores.
Main Results:
- 16% of participants worked over 50 hours per week.
- No statistically significant association was found between longer current work hours (≥40 hours/week) and higher mean CAC scores.
- Prevalence ratios for positive CAC scores did not significantly increase with longer work hours.
Conclusions:
- Current work hours were not found to be independently associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC) in this cohort.
- The study did not find evidence to support a direct link between work duration and subclinical atherosclerosis markers like CAC.
Background:
Long work hours may be associated with adverse outcomes, including cardiovascular disease. We investigated cross-sectional associations of current work hours with coronary artery calcification (CAC).
Methods:
Participants (n = 3046; 54.6% men) were from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. The number of hours worked in all jobs was obtained by questionnaire and CAC from computed tomography. The probability of a positive CAC score was modeled using log-binomial regression. Positive scores were modeled using analysis of covariance and linear regression.
Results:
Sixteen percent of the sample worked over 50 hours per week. The overall geometric mean CAC score was 5.2 ± 10.0; 40% had positive scores. In fully-adjusted models, prevalence ratios were less than 40 hours: 1.00 (confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-1.12), 40:(ref), 41 to 49:1.13 (CI: 0.99-1.30), and ≥50:1.07 (CI: 0.94-1.23) and longer current work hours were not associated with higher mean CAC scores (<40:56.0 [CI: 47.3-66.3], 40:57.8 [CI: 45.6-73.3], 41 to 49:59.2 [CI: 45.2-77.6], ≥50:51.2 [CI: 40.5-64.8]; P = .686).
Conclusions:
Current work hours were not independently associated with CAC scores.
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