OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between job stress and the pulse wave velocity as an indicator of vessel stiffness among male firefighters in a metropolitan city. METHODS In November and December 2008, a total of 404 participants were analyzed. The questionnaire survey included the participants' general characteristics, job-related factors, health-related behaviors, and job stress. Job stress was measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS). We merged the job stress data with clinical laboratory data and brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) by conducting medical surveillance. We measured the relationship of job stress to baPWV by using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, the baPWV was significantly higher in the groups possessing high levels of job insecurity (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.06~4.42). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the level of job stress, especially in regards to job insecurity, was directly related to the baPWV. Therefore, further preventive efforts and studies in regards to firefighters are needed in order to reduce job stress and thereby help to prevent cardiovascular disease.
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Firefighters’ occupational stress and its correlations with cardiorespiratory fitness, arterial stiffness, heart rate variability, and sleep quality Young-Sook Yook, Kiyoshi Sanada PLOS ONE.2019; 14(12): e0226739. CrossRef
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between job stress and pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a cardiovascular risk factor. METHOD The study design was cross-sectional, and a total of 234 industrial workers were recruited. A structured-questionnaire was used to assess the general characteristics and job characteristics (work demand, decision latitude) using a modified Karasek model. Cuffs were applied to the extremities and a microphone for phonocardiography was placed at the second intercostal space at the margin of the sternum. The subjects rested in a supine position for 5 min, and PWV was measured using a VP-1000(Colin Waveform analyzer). RESULTS There were significant correlations between blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, coagulation factor and PWV. The group with low decision latitude and high decision latitude showed higher levels of PWV, but the differences were not significan. The PWV (left) was significantly higher in the high strain group than in the lower strain group. After adjustment for age and cardiovascular risk factors, job strain was still associated with PWV. CONCLUSION These result suggest that the high strain group among workers is related to an increased risk of PWV as a marker of atherosclerosis.
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