Metabolic syndrome and occupation: Any association? Prevalence among auto technicians and school teachers in South West Nigeria

Association with Combined Occupational Hazards Exposure and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Workers' Health Examination Cohort 2012-2021

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to occupational hazards and the metabolic syndrome. A secondary objective was to analyze the additive and multiplicative effects of exposure to risk factors.

Methods

This retrospective cohort was based on 31,615 health examinees at the Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital in Republic of Korea from 2012-2021. Demographic and behavior-related risk factors were treated as confounding factors, whereas three physical factors, 19 organic solvents and aerosols, and 13 metals and dust were considered occupational risk factors. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios.

Results

The risk of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in night shift workers (hazard ratio = 1.45: 95% confidence interval = 1.36-1.54) and workers who were exposed to noise (1.15:1.07-1.24). Exposure to some other risk factors was also significantly associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. They were dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, trichloroethylene, xylene, styrene, toluene, dichloromethane, copper, antimony, lead, copper, iron, welding fume, and manganese. Among the 28 significant pairs, 19 exhibited both positive additive and multiplicative effects.

Conclusions

Exposure to single or combined occupational risk factors may increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Working conditions should be monitored and improved to reduce exposure to occupational hazards and prevent the development of the metabolic syndrome.

Disparities in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between Iranian industrial workers and university staff

Background

Is there a difference in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between employee service jobs and industrial jobs in Iran? In this study, we tried to answer this question. For this purpose, we compared the two populations of employees and workers. We compared the staff of the University of Medical Sciences as a service employees population (clinical and office work) to the industrial workers of a large automotive company (often with industrial occupations).

Method

In this cross-sectional study conducted in Tehran in 2020, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among 4,372 people employed by the university and 3,899 automotive industry employees was examined and compared. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was assessed based on two criteria, National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Results

The results showed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among university staff was higher than the automotive industrial workers. According to ATP III criteria, the former and latter showed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome of 13.1% among and 6.1%, respectively among. Also, based on IDF criteria, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 23.3% and 12.6% in two groups mentioned.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in university staff was almost double that in industry workers. At first glance, the physical activity of most automotive, industrial workers seems to be the main reason for this difference; however, a prevalence of about twice implies further factors. According to the authors, the legal implementation of monitoring, promotion, and surveillance programs of occupational health, in industrial environments can be a factor accounting for a significant difference in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the two populations observed. The authors suggest implementing similar programs for Iranian public sector employees to enhance their health status.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Hospital Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hospital-Based Repeated Measures Study

Although many studies have investigated burnout, stress, and mental health issues among health care workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, few have linked these relationships to chronic physiological illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases. This study assessed changes in cardiovascular risk factors in HCWs and other hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified vulnerable groups at a higher risk of increased adverse cardiovascular conditions. Five hundred and fourteen hospital employees ≥ 20 years of age underwent physical examinations and laboratory testing once before and once after the first wave of the pandemic in Taiwan during 2020 and 2021. Their sociodemographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, blood biochemical parameters, and body mass index, were collected. The differences between pre- and post-pandemic measurements of their biophysical and blood biochemical parameters were analyzed using pairwise tests. The post-pandemic increases in their parameter levels and cardiovascular risk as a function of underlying factors were estimated from multivariate regressions. HCWs showed significant increases in levels and abnormal rates of BMI, blood pressure, plasma glucose, and total cholesterol after the pandemic. Post-pandemic increases in BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure were higher in females than in males. Workers with higher levels of education or longer job tenure had greater increases in BMI, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels than other workers. Females had a higher incidence of abnormal BMI and hypertension than males (adjusted odds ratios [AORs] of 8.3 and 2.9, respectively). Older workers' incidence of hypertension was higher than younger workers' (AOR = 3.5). Preventive strategies should be implemented for HCWs susceptible to cardiovascular diseases during emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

A systematic review of prevalence of metabolic syndrome in occupational groups - Does occupation matter in the global epidemic of metabolic syndrome?

Many occupations can influence the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This systematic review aims to evaluate studies on MetS prevalence in different occupational groups from different countries. An integrative review of the literature was conducted within the PubMed and Web of Science databases between January 2005 and February 2022. Only studies with over 3000 subjects that presented data about the prevalence of MetS in different occupational groups were included. The classification of occupational groups was based on the statistical category of economic activities in the European Community (EC). Of a total of 1942 screened records, ten studies were included, showing that MetS is a common health (main) risk factor in all occupational groups. However, the prevalence of MetS varies between nationalities, between and within occupational groups, and between genders. The reasons for this variation appear complex and supported by several causal explanations. The prevalence of MetS was highest among women in a group of Korean skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers (Prevalence: 39.2%). Similarly, among men, the highest prevalence was found in Korean equipment, machine operating, and assembling workers (Prevalence: 35.4%). Male information and communication technology professionals from the Netherlands (Prevalence: 6.2%) and Spanish female catering and hospitality, personal, and security service workers (Prevalence: 5.9%) had the lowest rates of MetS. Overall, the results indicated that valid data on this topic are insufficient, and more randomized controlled trials are needed. Moreover, the different definitions of MetS complicate the accurate comparison between studies, paving the way to achieving consensus on a universal definition of MetS.

Association between metabolic syndrome and healthcare work status in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Introduction

metabolic syndrome portends an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death. Evidence showed that healthcare workers are at higher risk of cardiovascular events because of their engagement in night-shift work. Therefore, this study determined the association between metabolic syndrome and healthcare work status in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Methods

this was a cross-sectional study involving 105 healthcare workers and 143 non-healthcare workers. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made based on the International Diabetic Federation criteria: abdominal obesity plus, any two of: elevated blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg or previous diagnosis of hypertension on the use of antihypertensive medications; impaired fasting glucose; elevated triglycerides; and low HDL-cholesterol. Factors associated with metabolic syndrome were analysed using univariable and multivariable analysis.

Results

men comprised 37.9% of the study population and the mean age was 42.1 ± 9.7 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was similar in both groups (HCWs-29.5% vs non-HCWs- 28.0%, p-value=0.789); overall prevalence was 28.6%. Abdominal obesity, elevated total cholesterol and elevated LDL-cholesterol occurred more frequently in HCWs than in non-HCWs: (68.6% vs 55.2%, p-value=0.034; 65.7% vs 39.2%, p-value= < 0.001 and 50.5 vs 28.7%; p-value < 0.001) respectively. Female sex (aOR: 3.67, 95% CI: 1.74-7.45; p < 0.001) and obesity (aOR: 4.39, 95% CI: 2.31-8.37; p < 0.001) were associated with metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion

a similar prevalence of metabolic syndrome was observed in the healthcare workers and the non- healthcare workers. However, abdominal obesity, elevated total cholesterol and elevated LDL-cholesterol occurred more frequently in healthcare workers than in non- healthcare workers.

Gender-Specific Prevalence of Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases by Health Service Use among Schoolteachers in Afghanistan

Objectives of this study were: (1) to examine gender differences in biomedical indicators, lifestyle behaviors, self-health check practices, receipt of professional non-communicable disease (NCD)-related lifestyle advice, and the use of health services among teachers in Afghanistan; and (2) to seek the patterns of these indicators among users and non-users of health services among both male and female teachers. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 schoolteachers in Kabul city in February 2017. Gender differences in percentage distributions of abnormal biomedical indicators, lifestyle behaviors, self-health check practices, and receipt of professional lifestyle advice were examined. These patterns were further analyzed according to the use of health services in the previous 12 months by both genders. The results showed that male teachers had a higher prevalence of hypertension, increased serum triglycerides, physically active lifestyle, and tobacco use than female teachers (28.2/20.4, p = 0.038; 47.0/37.9, p = 0.040; 54.3/40.9, p = 0.002; 15.8/0.7, p < 0.001, respectively); female teachers had a higher prevalence of increased serum LDL cholesterol, overweight/obesity, and frequent consumption of fruits/vegetables than male teachers (61.3/50.8, p = 0.018; 64.7/43.5, p < 0.001; 71.4/53.8, p < 0.001, respectively). Female teachers were more likely to receive professional lifestyle advice related to NCDs than male teachers. Although users of health services practiced self-health checks and received professional lifestyle advice more frequently than non-users, abnormal biomedical indicators were similarly shown among users and non-users of health services in both genders. In conclusion, high prevalence of abnormal biomedical indicators was indicated in both male and female teachers, although the specific abnormal biomedical indicators differed by gender. Users and non-users of health services presented a similar prevalence of these abnormal indicators. Understanding the differences in patterns of NCD risk factors is essential when developing gender-informed policies.

Self-reported cardiovascular health of teachers: results from the 5-year follow-up of the Gutenberg Health Study cohort

Objectives

Following an exploratory approach, we examined cardiovascular disease risk factors at baseline and the 5-year incidence proportion of self-reported doctor-diagnosed cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in teachers and other occupational groups of the Gutenberg Health Study.

Methods

Study participants lived in the region of Mainz, Germany. Data from 6510 working participants without prevalent CVD at baseline (2007–2012) were analyzed. Participants were teachers (n = 215), other professionals from the health, social or educational (HSE) fields (n = 1061) or worked outside the HSE fields (n = 5234). For occupational comparisons, we estimated prevalence ratios (PR) for each CVD risk factor at baseline with robust Poisson regression analyses. We calculated crude CVD incidence rates based on the observed 5-year CVD cumulative incidence at follow-up and estimated age-weighted incidence proportions. All analyses were stratified by sex.

Results

Male non-HSE workers showed a higher prevalence of smoking and physical inactivity than male teachers (PR 2.26; 95%-CI: 1.06–4.82/PR 1.89; 95%-CI: 1.24–2.87). In contrast, non-HSE workers and other HSE professionals were less likely to have reported an unhealthy alcohol intake than teachers. Differences were attenuated after SES-adjustment. We did not detect occupational group-specific differences in CVD incidence. However, there were only two cases of CVD among the teachers.

Conclusion

Particularly male teachers showed a healthier lifestyle regarding physical inactivity and smoking. Nevertheless, occupational-medical care practitioners and researchers need to be aware of the relatively heightened prevalence of unhealthy alcohol intake in female and male teachers, and in absolute terms, the high hypertension prevalence in male teachers.

Occupational Assessments of Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases in Labors: An Application of Metabolic Syndrome Scoring Index

Unlike a traditional diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS), a numerical MS index can present individual fluctuations of health status over time. This study aimed to explore its value in the application of occupational health. Using a database of physiological and biochemical tests and questionnaires, data were collected from 7232 participants aged 20 to 64 years who received occupational health screenings at a health screening institution in 2018. Using confirmatory factor analysis, five components of MS were used to design an MS severity scoring index, which was then used to evaluate the risks of occupation factors. Waist circumference was the largest loading factor compared with the other MS components. Participants who worked in the traditional industrial, food processing, or electronic technology industries had higher MS severity than those in the logistics industry. Those who worked as a manager or over five years had a relatively high severity. The research showed that assessments based on an MS severity score are applicable when the risk factors of suboptimal health are involved. By monitoring the scores over time, healthcare professionals can propose preventive strategies in time, thus enhancing the effectiveness of occupational health examination services.

The Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Different Occupational Groups in New Zealand

OBJECTIVES

Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been shown to differ between occupations, few studies have specifically evaluated the distribution of known CVD risk factors across occupational groups. This study assessed CVD risk factors in a range of occupational groups in New Zealand, stratified by sex and ethnicity.

METHODS

Two probability-based sample surveys of the general New Zealand adult population (2004-2006; n = 3003) and of the indigenous people of New Zealand (Māori; 2009-2010; n = 2107), for which occupational histories and lifestyle factors were collected, were linked with routinely collected health data. Smoking, body mass index, deprivation, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol were dichotomized and compared between occupational groups using age-adjusted logistic regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of all known CVD risk factors was greater in the Māori survey than the general population survey, and in males compared with females. In general for men and women in both surveys 'Plant and machine operators and assemblers' and 'Elementary workers' were more likely to experience traditional CVD risk factors, while 'Professionals' were less likely to experience these risk factors. 'Clerks' were more likely to have high blood pressure and male 'Agricultural and fishery workers' in the general survey were less likely to have high cholesterol, but this was not observed in the Māori survey. Male Māori 'Trades workers' were less likely to have high cholesterol and were less obese, while for the general population survey, this was not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed differences in the distribution of known CVD risk factors across occupational groups, as well as between ethnic groups and males and females.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There are rising levels of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a precursor of these conditions, but the data on the prevalence of MS in SSA are fragmented. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of MS in SSA and determine the population groups that are most at risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and African Journals Online for all published articles reporting MS prevalence in SSA populations. Random effects models were used to calculate the pooled prevalence overall and by major study-level characteristics. A total of 65 studies across fourteen different countries comprising 34,324 healthy participants aged ≥16 years were included in the meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of MS according to the different diagnostic criteria was: IDF: 18.0% (95%CI:13.3-23.3), IDF-ethnic: 16.0% (95%CI:11.3-21.4), JIS: 23.9% (95%CI: 16.5-32.3), NCEP-ATP III: 17.1% (95%CI:12.8-22.0) and WHO: 11.1% (95%CI:5.3-18.9). The prevalence of MS was higher in women than in men, and higher in (semi-)urban than in rural participants. The MS prevalence was highest in Southern Africa, followed by Eastern, Western and Central Africa. Substantial heterogeneity in the prevalence estimates across studies were not explained by major study-level characteristics, while apparent publication biases were likely artefactual.

CONCLUSIONS

MS is not rare in SSA. The prevalence of MS was highest for women, populations in urban areas, and populations in Southern Africa. Public health intervention efforts are needed to prevent further increases in the burden of MS in the region.

Analysis of the association between health-related and work-related factors among workers and metabolic syndrome using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016)

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed health-related factors for metabolic syndrome (Mets) among workers in South Korea.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

This analysis included 4,666 adults aged 19–64 years to analyzed health-related risk factors for Mets from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). The sociodemographic, working, health-related, and biochemical characteristics were presented as percentages (%) by chi-square tests. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and associations between health-related factors characteristic of workers and the odds ratios of Mets.

RESULTS

An increased prevalence of Mets was associated with male day workers compared to male shift workers (1.726-fold increase, 95% CI: 1.077–2.765), and with ≥ 8 hrs/day sleep duration compared to < 6 hrs/day sleep duration in female workers (2.133-fold, 95% CI: 1.041–4.368). In addition, reduced odds of high Mets were associated with male workers consumed of breakfast 5–7 times/wk compared to those consumed < 1 time/wk (0.593-fold decrease, 95% CI: 0.372–0.944).

CONCLUSIONS

Health-related factors (sleep duration, frequency of breakfast) and working type in Korean workers may affect the prevalence of Mets.

Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Job Rank

Background:

The occupation of the people can influence the development of metabolic syndrome.

Objective:

To determine the association between metabolic syndrome and its determinants with the job rank in workers of a large car factory in Iran.

Methods:

3989 male workers at a large car manufacturing company were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Demographic and anthropometric data of the participants, including age, height, weight, and abdominal circumference were measured. Blood samples were taken to measure lipid profile and blood glucose level. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in each participant based on ATPIII 2001 criteria. The workers were categorized based on their job rank into 3 groups of (1) office workers, (2) workers with physical exertion, and (3) workers with chemical exposure. The study characteristics, particularly the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its determinants were compared among the study groups.

Results:

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our study was 7.7% (95% CI 6.9 to 8.5). HDL levels were significantly lower in those who had chemical exposure (p=0.045). Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in those who had mechanical exertion (p=0.026). The frequency of metabolic syndrome in the office workers, workers with physical exertion, and workers with chemical exposure was 7.3%, 7.9%, and 7.8%, respectively (p=0.836).

Conclusion:

Seemingly, there is no association between metabolic syndrome and job rank.