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Atherogenic risk in men suffering from occupational stress
J Siegrist1, H Matschinger, P Cremer
1Department of Medical Sociology, Medical School, University of Marburg, F.R.G.
Atherosclerosis
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Blue-collar workers with chronic occupational stress show higher atherogenic index values. This indicates increased risk for atherosclerosis, even after accounting for lifestyle factors.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Stress Research
Background:
- Chronic occupational stress is prevalent in blue-collar jobs.
- Stress is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- The atherogenic index is a marker for cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between chronic occupational stress and the atherogenic index in blue-collar workers.
- To determine if this association persists after controlling for confounding factors.
Main Methods:
- Prospective epidemiologic study on 416 middle-aged men over 2 years.
- Assessed chronic occupational stress using objective (job instability, shift work) and subjective (perceived job insecurity, workload) indicators.
- Measured atherogenic index via quantitative lipoprotein electrophoresis.
Main Results:
- Blue-collar workers with chronic occupational stress had significantly higher atherogenic index values.
- This association remained significant after controlling for body weight, age, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Conclusions:
- Chronic occupational stress is linked to an elevated atherogenic index in blue-collar men.
- Findings support the role of chronic stress in atherosclerosis development, consistent with animal studies.