Examining the Association Between Occupational Strain and Risk of Angina Pectoris Among Older Working Adults in India...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Cardiovascular Epidemiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Occupational strain is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but evidence among older Indian workers is scarce.
• This study investigates job strain's association with Angina Pectoris (AP) risk in older Indian adults, using the Job Demand-Control (JDC) model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between different job strain levels (high, active, passive, low) and the risk of Angina Pectoris (AP) among older working adults in India.
• To identify psychosocial workplace factors contributing to AP risk in later life.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from Wave 1 (2017-18) of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), a nationwide survey of 66,331 working older adults.
• Assessed occupational strain using the JDC model and AP using the Rose Angina Questionnaire.
• Employed multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for socioeconomic and health variables.

Main Results:

• Active (OR=0.77) and passive (OR=0.84) job types were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of AP compared to high-strain jobs.
• Low-strain jobs showed a non-significant protective association with AP.
• Early labor force participation (before age 14) and poorer self-rated health were linked to increased AP risk.

Conclusions:

• Psychosocial workplace conditions, including occupational strain, play a role in the development of angina in older age.
• Work environments promoting employee control, decision-making autonomy, and skill discretion are essential.
• Early intervention for job stress and burnout may mitigate angina and other cardiac events in India's aging workforce.