Occupational health care identifies risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among employees of a Finnish airline; to study the association of shift work with T2D and CVD risk; and to test the feasibility of risk screening in occupational health care setting.


METHODS
Altogether 4169 employees were invited for a health check-up and 2312 participated in this study. The check-up included physical examinations, questionnaires on working hours, sleep, and lifestyle, diabetes risk score FINDRISC, and blood tests. Lifestyle counselling was offered for those with increased T2D risk.


RESULTS
Altogether 15% of participants had a high T2D risk (FINDRISC≥15 and/or elevated, but non-diabetic blood glucose), and a further 15% had a moderate T2D risk (FINDRISC 10-14 and normal blood glucose). Of those 60% agreed to attend lifestyle counselling. Metabolic syndrome was more common, lipid profile more unfavorable and hsCRP higher by increasing FINDRISC score category. Risk factor profiles linked to shift work status were not self-evident.


CONCLUSIONS
The renewed health check-up process effectively identified those employees with increased T2D and CVD risk who would benefit from lifestyle intervention. The use of FINDRISC questionnaire was a feasible first-step screening method in occupational health care setting.
Finnair Health Services, Finnair, Finland. katriina.viitasalo@fimnet.fi
Katriina
K
Viitasalo
Jaana
J
Lindström
Katri
K
Hemiö
Sampsa
S
Puttonen
Anja
A
Koho
Mikko
M
Härmä
Markku
M
Peltonen
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003376:Counseling; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D010808:Physical Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload