Heart failure in different occupational classes in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
The link between low socioeconomic status (SES) and coronary heart disease (CHD) is well established, but there is a paucity of data whether a similar relation exists for heart failure (HF).


RESULTS
A total of 6999 men 47-55 years old, without a prior stroke or myocardial infarction, from a population sample of 9998 men, were investigated during 1970-73. Over a 28-year follow-up, 1004 men (14.3%) were discharged from hospital or died with a diagnosis of HF. There was an inverse relationship between SES, measured as an occupational class, and future risk of HF. Compared with men in the highest occupational class, men with intermediate non-manual occupations had a multiple-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98-1.67, lower officials and foremen had an HR of 1.57 (1.22-2.03), semiskilled and skilled workers 1.48 (1.15-1.89), and unskilled workers 1.72 (1.34-2.20). Results were similar if only men with a principal diagnosis of HF (n=516) were considered, irrespective of whether a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization had been recorded at any time.


CONCLUSIONS
Low SES is an independent risk factor for long-term risk of HF in men.
Schaufelberger
Maria
M
Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, SE-416 85 Göteborg, Sweden.
Rosengren
Annika
A
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology