Work-related stress and early atherosclerosis.
The purpose of this study was to examine the link between work-related stress and early atherosclerosis as measured by common carotid artery intima-media thickness and focal lesions in the common carotid artery and bifurcation. Four hundred sixty-seven members of an occupational cohort (total N = 573) were examined via questionnaires and B-mode ultrasound. We used multiple linear and logistic models to regress lesion risk and intima-media thickness on work-related stress scores from a questionnaire administered at an 18-month follow-up examination. In an age-adjusted model, the prevalence of carotid lesions among men scoring in the highest stress quintile was 36% compared with 21% among men in the lowest quintile. We also observed an increase in intima-media thickness in the highest quintile relative to the lowest (difference = 0.048 +/- 0.025 mm) among men. Among women, stress was not related to the prevalence of lesions or intima-media thickness. These findings suggest that men with greater work-related stress are at increased risk for atherosclerotic disease. Women in this age group may be protected from such effects, or current work-place questionnaires may not accurately assess stress in women.
Nordstrom
C K
CK
Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute for Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
Dwyer
K M
KM
Merz
C N
CN
Shircore
A
A
Dwyer
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography