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Incidence of myocardial infarction and mortality from specific causes among bus drivers in Sweden
L Alfredsson1, N Hammar, C Hogstedt
1Department of Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Urban bus drivers face a significantly higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI). This increased risk is linked to occupational factors, highlighting the need for workplace interventions to improve driver health.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research suggests urban bus drivers have elevated coronary heart disease risk.
- This study investigates mortality and incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) in Swedish bus drivers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and all-cause mortality in urban bus drivers compared to other employed men.
- To identify potential occupational or environmental factors contributing to increased MI risk.
Main Methods:
- A 15-year mortality study of 9446 male bus drivers across Sweden.
- A case-referent study on MI incidence in five Swedish counties.
Main Results:
- A 50% increase in MI mortality was observed in urban bus drivers in Stockholm and Göteborg/Bohus counties.
- No increased mortality from MI or other causes was found in rural bus drivers.
- Urban bus drivers in Stockholm county showed a 1.6 times higher incidence of first MI events (95% CI 1.1-1.9).
Conclusions:
- Urban bus drivers exhibit an increased risk of developing myocardial infarction (MI).
- Work environment factors such as job strain, irregular hours, sedentary work, exhaust fumes, and noise may contribute to this elevated risk.
Abstract:
Previous studies have indicated that urban bus drivers have an increased risk of coronary heart disease. In the present investigation two separate studies were carried out. In the first study the mortality from myocardial infarction (MI), as well as from other causes for all male bus drivers in Sweden (9446), was investigated and compared to those of other employed men over a 15-year period. A 50% increase in mortality from MI was observed among drivers in Stockholm and Göteborg and Bohus counties, the two counties where the two largest cities in Sweden are situated. No increased mortality from lung cancer, any cancer (all sites combined), or from all causes combined was observed for these drivers. For bus drivers in the predominantly rural areas no excess mortality from MI, or any other cause, was observed. In the second study the incidence of MI among male bus drivers, as compared with other employed men, was studied in five Swedish counties by case referent methods. An increased incidence of first events of MI, (relative risk = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.9) was observed for bus drivers in Stockholm county. According to our results, urban bus drivers thus have an increased risk of developing MI. The findings also suggest that factors in the work environment of urban bus drivers may contribute to this increased risk. Factors of possible importance are job strain, irregular working hours, a sedentary job, automobile exhaust fumes, and noise.
