Negative emotional states and risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases in coal industry workers with occupational pathology

Abstract

Introduction. Due to difficult working conditions, coal industry workers may develop negative emotional states that can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The relationship of negative emotions with the frequency of risk factors in coal industry workers has not been studied enough, while its early determination will allow the elaboration of preventive and psycho-corrective measures. The aim was to study the relationship of negative emotional states with the frequency of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases in coal industry workers with occupational pathology. Materials and methods. Using the DS14 (negative affectivity, social suppression) and Spielberger-Khanin (personal anxiety, situational anxiety) questionnaires we examined 196 miners with occupational diseases (dust lung pathology, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, vibration disease). Results. We identified a high frequency of negative affectivity (44.7% of the subjects), social suppression (69%), personal anxiety (35%), and situational anxiety (20%); the relationship between negative emotional states and risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases was determined. We revealed the relationship between negative emotional states and risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as smoking, arterial hypertension, low physical activity, the presence of prolonged stress and severe perception of stress. A high level of personal anxiety is most closely related to the frequency of such risk factors as severe perception of stress, the presence of prolonged stress, arterial hypertension, and low physical activity. Limitations. The study is limited to a sample of 196 miners with occupational diseases, surveyed using the DS14 and Spielberger-Khanin questionnaires. Conclusions. A high level of negative emotional states, including personal anxiety, was revealed among coal industry workers with occupational diseases, which to the greatest extent determines the frequency of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular pathology. An early determination of the relationship between negative emotional states and the frequency of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases in this group of workers will make it possible to create a program of preventive and psycho-corrective measures. Ethics. The study was conducted in compliance with the ethical principles of medical researches involving humans in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association of the latest revision.