Occupation and subclinical carotid artery disease in women: are clerical workers at greater risk?
The current study examined cardiovascular risk factors and carotid atherosclerosis in 362 women (ages 42-50 years) who were working in clerical, blue-collar, or white-collar jobs or who were not employed. Risk factors were measured premenopausally and ultrasound measures of carotid atherosclerosis were obtained approximately 11 years later. Clerical and blue-collar workers had more atherogenic profiles on physical, behavioral, and psychosocial risk factors when compared with white-collar and nonemployed women. Clerical workers had greater carotid intima-media thickness relative to all other groups and more focal plaque when compared with white-collar workers. Risk factors and workplace characteristics did not account for the greater carotid atherosclerosis observed in clerical workers. Further research is needed to investigate why clerical work may increase cardiovascular risk.
Gallo
Linda C
LC
San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 6363 Alvarado Court, San Diego, California 92120, USA. lcgallo@sciences.sdsu.edu
Troxel
Wendy M
WM
Matthews
Karen A
KA
Jansen-McWilliams
Linda
L
Kuller
Lewis H
LH
Sutton-Tyrrell
Kim
K
D000328:Adult; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D016387:Women's Health; D017132:Workplace