The Association of Occupational Noises and the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome.

Abstract

Previous studies have shown the association of exposure to noise with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, however, it is not well known whether the exposure has any effect on metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to quantify and clarify the association between noise exposure and the prevalence of MetS. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 among 518 workers in a thermal power plant industry. According to types of work and 8-h equivalent A-weighted sound pressure level (8-h LAeq), the participants were divided into the following groups: office workers and line-production workers exposed to < 85, 90 to <95, 95 to <100, and ≥100 dBA. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria to identify subjects with MetS. The logistic regression was used to determine the odds of MetS among study groups. We observed the significant differences in the number (%) of subjects with high blood pressure in line-production workers who exposed to noise ≥100 (12 [19.7%]) versus <85 dBA (7 [7.1%]) and office (10 [4.7%]) groups. For the waist circumference (>102 cm), there was a significant difference in the ≥100 dBA group (12 [19.7%]) compared with office group (21 [9.8%]). Obtained results indicated only the significant difference in the prevalence of MetS in ≥100 versus <85 dBA groups (10 [16.4%] versus 6 [6.1%]). The unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of MetS in ≥100 versus <85 dBA groups were estimated 3.01 (1.03, 8.75) and 3.24 (1.01, 10.42), respectively. This study indicated the significant association between noise exposure and MetS in line-production workers. However, more studies are needed to confirm our results.