Associations between dimensions of job stress and biomarkers of inflammation and infection.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine associations between dimensions of job stress and indicators of chronic inflammation and infection.


METHODS
Within a subsample from the BELSTRESS study of 892 male subjects free of cardiovascular disease, dimensions of job stress from the job demand-control-support model were related to biomarkers of inflammation (plasma fibrinogen concentrations, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid A) and infection (titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, and Helicobacter pylori).


RESULTS
A negative association was found between job control and plasma fibrinogen concentration, independent from age, education, occupation, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and use of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medication. Higher social support at work was independently related to an increased risk of positive titers against cytomegalovirus.


CONCLUSIONS
Results confirm previous findings regarding elevated plasma fibrinogen and low job control.
Clays
Els
E
Department of Public Health, Ghent University, University Hospital, Belgium. els.clays@UGent.be
De Bacquer
Dirk
D
Delanghe
Joris
J
Kittel
France
F
Van Renterghem
Lieve
L
De Backer
Guy
G
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D007249:Inflammation; D007587:Job Description; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D013315:Stress, Psychological
D015415:Biomarkers