Abstract
Background: Driving is a stressful job. Professional drivers are high risk group for occupational stress. Occupational stress has been associated with abnormal levels of lipids. However, many studies could not find any association. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed at contributing to improving the professional drivers' health through assessing occupational stress, lipid profile and their association. Subjects and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at Suez Canal Authority in Ismailia City, Egypt, including 131 professional drivers. A structured interview questionnaire was used to assess occupational stress index (OSI) and cardiovascular risk factors. Lipid profile in form of cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were assessed. Results: The total OSI score was 79.98 ± 6.14. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 79.4%, 51.9% of drivers had hypercholesterolemia, 37.4% had hypertriglyceridemia, 50.4% had high level of LDL-C, and 45% had low level of HDL-C. The total OSI score and OSI aspects did not have statistically significant relationship with dyslipidemia. The high demand aspect score of OSI had statistically significant relationship with hypercholesterolemia. The conflict aspect had statistically significant relationship with high LDL-C. The noxious exposure and conflict aspects of OSI had weak positive significant correlations with cholesterol level (r = 0.163, 0.162 respectively). A weak positive significant correlation (r = 0.149) was found between noxious exposure aspect score and LDL-C level. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess independent risk factors of dyslipidemia. The model included aspects of OSI, total OSI score, driving hours a day, smoking status, passive smoking, body mass index (BMI) and dietary habits. It identified conflict aspect of OSI, driving hours a day, and BMI as predictors of dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Professional drivers are exposed to occupational stress, and dyslipidemia is prevalent among them. Total OSI score does not have statistically significant relationship with dyslipidemia. However, certain aspects of OSI have significant relationship with abnormal lipid profile.
Highlights
Despite the fact that occupational stress is not a new phenomenon, it becomes progressively globalized and has effects on workers, families and overall society
The occupational stress index (OSI) is arranged as a two-dimensional matrix, the vertical axis being composed of level of information transmission and the stressor aspects placed along the horizontal axis
The current study reveals that 79.4% of the studied drivers have dyslipidemia and 51.9% of them suffer from hypercholesterolemia, 37.4% have hypertriglyceridemia. 50.4% have high low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)
Summary
Despite the fact that occupational stress is not a new phenomenon, it becomes progressively globalized and has effects on workers, families and overall society It is in constant growth and presents a growing medical and economical problem [1]. This stress may occur due to the responsibilities related to the work itself, or conditions that are based on personality conflicts or corporate culture. Professional drivers are exposed to several occupational risk factors such as long working hours, shift work, noise, carbon monoxide, and chemical materials. Cross-sectional studies have linked occupational stress with lipid disorders, this association is still not consistent [4]
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