Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in commercial truck drivers: A review

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The lifestyle of commercial truck drivers may increase this occupational groups׳ susceptibility to health disparities, including obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Identification of Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) in commercial truck drivers may aid in early recognition of risk for cardiovascular disease to support primary intervention techniques. Epidemiological studies have yet to evaluate MetSyn among commercial drivers; however, studies have examined the prevalence of the individual components. Objective To examine the prevalence of components of the MetSyn among commercial truck drivers, compare to those of the general U.S. adult population, and identify the most prevalent components to prioritize initiatives for health interventions. Methods A review of the literature was conducted that evaluated one or more MetSyn component in commercial truck drivers. Articles were collected from a Pub Med MEDLINE search that was limited to research conducted on commercial truck drivers published within the previous 10 years (2005–2015). Twenty-seven articles met the criteria for inclusion in this systematic review. Results All studies were original reports with sample sizes ranging from 30 to 88,246 subjects, all of which were commercial truck drivers. The mean driver age range in the studies reviewed was 38–48 years of age. Studies included cross-sectional investigations, longitudinal, cohort, naturalistic, descriptive, and case-control studies. Abdominal obesity may affect 19–74% of commercial truck drivers; overweight and obesity, 23–53% and 15–70% of drivers, respectively; hypertension, 5–48% of drivers; dyslipidemia may affect 7–46% of drivers; and diabetes, and 1–22% of commercial truck drivers. Conclusions Abdominal obesity is the most prevalent MetSyn component and risk factor for CVD among commercial truck drivers. Additional, research is necessary to evaluate large, representative groups of drivers and to collect measured indices of MetSyn to more accurately predict MetSyn prevalence among this group. Future health intervention studies for commercial truck drivers should focus on obesity prevention, management and treatment.