Prevalence of coronary risk factors in load transport drivers

Non-communicable diseases are the main cause of mortality worldwide, with risk factors that contribute to their development, including those associated with work activity.

To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors related to the development of non-communicable diseases and their relationship with work activity in professional load transport drivers.

Eighty male truck drivers were assessed (39.73±10.91 years) with 15.22±12.09 years of professional experience. In addition to collection of anthropometric data and measurement of blood data, drivers answered three questionnaires: Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, Coronary Risk, and Finnish Diabetes Risk Score. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Pearson correlation and Student's t test, considering a significance level of p < 0.05.

The results showed a prevalence of arterial hypertension of 31.30% and a medium coronary risk (46.30%), a factor that was directly associated with time of professional performance (r = 0.519; p < 0.05). Of the 80 truck drivers, 48.80% were physically inactive, 73.80% were overweight, and 7.50% had a high risk for the development of diabetes.

The professional category studied presents an excess risk for health problems in the context of non-communicable diseases due to the peculiar characteristics of their profession.