Workplace violence, early neurological symptoms, and metabolic or psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Abstract Workplace violence is ubiquitous. Neuropsychological symptoms, such as headaches and sleep problems, may be the earliest consequences of violent acts, and in turn are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders. Systematic research on this topic can help treatment and prevention. 905 health & social workers (male 331, 36.6%; mean age 46 + 11.4 years), during their periodical medical examination in the workplace, were asked to fill in a standardized questionnaire containing the Violent Incident Form on the episodes of violence suffered, the Headache Impact Test on headache and the PSQI on sleep problems. Anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Goldberg scale. Workers reported having suffered physical assaults (5.2%), threats (11.5%), and harassment (10.2%) in the previous year. Workers who experienced violence had an increased risk of headaches (OR 2.80, CI95% 1.55-5.05 for physical violence, OR 1.83 CI95% 1.21-2.78 for threats, OR 2.46 CI95% 1.59-3.96 for harassment) and of sleep problems (OR 2.46, CI95% 1.33-4.57 for physical violence, OR 2.81 CI95% 1.82-4.33 for threats, OR 5.09 CI95% 3.04-8.51 for harassment). Headache and sleep problems were significantly correlated with the components of the metabolic syndrome (hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycaemia, obesity): Pearson's r was 0.069 for headache (p < 0.05), 0.142 for sleep quality (p < 0.001). Head and sleep problems were also correlated with anxiety (r = 0.519 and 0.670, respectively) and with depression (r = 0.457 and 0.619). Violence at work was associated with an increased risk of headaches and sleep problems. These symptoms were associated with the components of the metabolic syndrome, with anxiety and with depression. Early detection of symptoms such as headaches and sleep problems allows individual treatment measures to be put in place. The identification of the causes of these morbid phenomena allows to implement primary prevention measures in the workplace. Key messages Workplace violence causes headache and sleep problems, which, in turn, are associated with metabolic and psychiatric disorders. Periodic surveillance of workers is useful for improving public health.