Effects of job strain on blood pressure: a prospective study of male and female white-collar workers.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated whether cumulative exposure to job strain increases blood pressure.


METHODS
A prospective study of 8395 white-collar workers was initiated during 1991 to 1993. At follow-up, 7.5 years later, 84% of the participants were reassessed to estimate cumulative exposure to job strain.


RESULTS
Compared with men who had never been exposed, men with cumulative exposure and those who became exposed during follow-up showed significant systolic blood pressure increments of 1.8 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.1, 3.5) and 1.5 mm Hg (95% CI=0.2, 2.8), respectively, and relative risks of blood pressure increases in the highest quintile group of 1.33 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.76) and 1.40 (95% CI = 1.14, 1.73). Effect magnitudes were smaller among women. Effects tended to be more pronounced among men and women with low levels of social support at work.


CONCLUSIONS
Among these white-collar workers, exposure to cumulative job strain had a modest but significant effect on systolic blood pressure among men. The risk was of comparable magnitude to that observed for age and sedentary behavior. Men and women with low levels of social support at work appeared to be at higher risk for increases in blood pressure.
Guimont
Chantal
C
Unité de recherche en santé des populations, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Brisson
Chantal
C
Dagenais
Gilles R
GR
Milot
Alain
A
Vézina
Michel
M
Mâsse
Benoît
B
Moisan
Jocelyne
J
Laflamme
Nathalie
N
Blanchette
Caty
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006077:Government Agencies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology