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Job stress and preeclampsia
H S Klonoff-Cohen1, J L Cross, C F Pieper
1Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0607, USA.
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Job strain during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing preeclampsia. Pregnant women in high-stress jobs face a 3.1-fold higher risk compared to nonworking women.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication.
- The role of occupational stress in preeclampsia risk is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between job strain during pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study comparing 110 women with preeclampsia and 115 healthy controls.
- Occupation and job strain (using Karasek's scale) assessed via telephone interview.
- Logistic regression analysis adjusted for multiple covariates.
Main Results:
- Women in high-stress jobs had a 3.1-fold increased risk of preeclampsia.
- Women in low-stress jobs had a 2.0-fold increased risk compared to nonworking women.
- Overall, working women had a 2.3 times higher risk of preeclampsia.
Conclusions:
- Work-related psychosocial strain is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia.
- Occupational stress may be a modifiable risk factor for preeclampsia.