BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of early atherosclerosis in healthy workers and the relationship between classical, psychological, and immunological risk factors and atherosclerosis, as well as their predictive value. METHODS: One hundred healthy managers and 50 office workers aged 35-65 were studied. In all subjects, individual, family, and occupational stress/coping risk factors were evaluated, including plasma levels of biochemical (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, glucose) and inflammatory-immunological (aCL, anti-beta(2) GPI, oxLDL, HSP, HSCRP) parameters. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries were assessed with computer analysis of B-mode ultrasound images. RESULTS: In 107 persons (71%) no changes were found in ultrasound images and in 43 individuals (29%) the presence of plaque was shown. The mean IMT value was 0.0618+/-0.013 mm. Cross-domain analysis showed that core predictors for IMT were age, LDL level, smoking, and occupation (being a manager) (beta=0.33, 0.30, 0.23, and 0.20, respectively); the core predictors for plaque were age, total cholesterol level, and an occupational stressor home-work balance (Wald=7, 6.7, and 5.6, respectively). Immunological factors were not independent predictors. CONCLUSIONS: In atherosclerosis, not only traditional risk factors (age, lipid disorders, and lifestyle) but also occupational stress factors may play a role. Immunological factors do not seem to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis in a population of healthy workers. The interplay between occupational stress and atherosclerotic changes requires further investigation.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of early atherosclerosis in healthy workers and the relationship between classical, psychological, and immunological risk factors and atherosclerosis, as well as their predictive value. METHODS: One hundred healthy managers and 50 office workers aged 35-65 were studied. In all subjects, individual, family, and occupational stress/coping risk factors were evaluated, including plasma levels of biochemical (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, glucose) and inflammatory-immunological (aCL, anti-beta(2) GPI, oxLDL, HSP, HSCRP) parameters. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries were assessed with computer analysis of B-mode ultrasound images. RESULTS: In 107 persons (71%) no changes were found in ultrasound images and in 43 individuals (29%) the presence of plaque was shown. The mean IMT value was 0.0618+/-0.013 mm. Cross-domain analysis showed that core predictors for IMT were age, LDL level, smoking, and occupation (being a manager) (beta=0.33, 0.30, 0.23, and 0.20, respectively); the core predictors for plaque were age, total cholesterol level, and an occupational stressor home-work balance (Wald=7, 6.7, and 5.6, respectively). Immunological factors were not independent predictors. CONCLUSIONS: In atherosclerosis, not only traditional risk factors (age, lipid disorders, and lifestyle) but also occupational stress factors may play a role. Immunological factors do not seem to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis in a population of healthy workers. The interplay between occupational stress and atherosclerotic changes requires further investigation.
Authors: Lars Lind; Jessika Andersson; Monika Rönn; Thomas Gustavsson; Peter Holdfelt; Johannes Hulthe; Anders Elmgren; Kersti Zilmer; Mihkel Zilmer Journal: Lipids Date: 2007-11-15 Impact factor: 1.880
Authors: Leila Shahabi; Kelly Karavolos; Susan A Everson-Rose; Tené T Lewis; Karen A Matthews; Kim Sutton-Tyrrell; Lynda H Powell Journal: Psychosom Med Date: 2016-05 Impact factor: 4.312
Authors: Joanna Bugajska; Maria Widerszal-Bazyl; Piotr Radkiewicz; Tomasz Pasierski; Grazyna Anna Szulczyk; Jakub Zabek; Bozena Wojciechowska; Anna Jedryka-Góral Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2008-01-03 Impact factor: 3.015