Repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors and arterial stiffness among aging workers

Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Psychosocial work-related factors may be associated with higher arterial stiffness, but findings from previous studies have been inconsistent. No previous studies have examined the effect of repeated exposure to these factors. Therefore, the potential adverse effect of repeated exposure remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors and arterial stiffness among aging workers.

The sample included 475 individuals (women: 52%) from the PROspective Quebec Study on Work and Health. Repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors from the job strain and the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) models in 1999-2001 (baseline) and 2015-2018 (follow-up) was assessed using validated instruments. Arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, m/s) was assessed at follow-up.

Among women, ERI exposure onset [+ 0.34 m/s (95% CI: + 0.01; + 0.66)] and cessation [+ 0.52 m/s (95% CI: + 0.10; + 0.94)] were associated with higher arterial stiffness compared to unexposed women. The association was of lower magnitude among women repeatedly exposed to ERI [+ 0.16 m/s (95% CI: - 0.08; + 0.40)]. Among men, there was no association between repeated exposure to psychosocial work-related factors and arterial stiffness.

Results from the current study suggest that repeated exposure to an ERI at work may contribute to higher arterial stiffness in women. Psychosocial work-related factors may be relevant targets to mitigate arterial stiffness progression.