Comparative assessment of cardiometabolic risk factor role in high-stress occupations

Abstract

Aim. To investigate the components of metabolic syndrome (MS) and to evaluate the role of cardiometabolic risk factors (RFs) in high-stress vs. low-stress occupations, in order to enable early diagnostics of the most important factors. Material and methods. In total, 299 men were examined (mean age 43,25±7,75 years). Group I worked as train drivers (n=185), while Group II included railway track workers (n=114). All participants underwent clinical examination, measurement of body mass index, waist circumference (WC), office blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, and lipid profile. MS was diagnosed according to the criteria by IDF (2005), ATP III (2005), and the Society of Cardiology of the Russian Federation (2009). Results. Group I, compared to Group II, demonstrated higher prevalence (p<0,05) of smoking (+22%); abdominal obesity (AO), as denoted by WC ≥94 cm (+28%) or WC 94-102 cm (+16%); elevated systolic BP, SBP (+36%); total cholesterol, TCH (+12%) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, VLDL-CH (+16%). The most prevalent combination of MS components among individuals in a high-stress occupation was AH and AO. In Group I, MS prevalence ranged from 30% to 49% (p<0,05) and was 2,5-2,7 times higher than in Group II (p<0,001). Conclusion. Individuals in high-stress occupations demonstrated high prevalence of cardiometabolic RFs and MS. Based on strict MS criteria, early preventive measures among people in high-stress occupations should target individuals with WC 94-102 cm combined with other cardiovascular RFs.