Work-Related Psychological Injury Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome Components in Apparently Healthy Workers

Exploring Mindful Self-Care as a Potential Mediator between Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue among Student Services Professionals

Higher education professionals are subject to high levels of stress as they support student populations at risk of trauma. Compassion fatigue, which represents dimensions of secondary traumatic stress and burnout, is associated with a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among those providing student services. Prior studies on helping professionals have found that mindful self-care mediates the relationship between compassion satisfaction, the positive aspects of helping others in one’s role, and compassion fatigue, but this has not been sufficiently explored in this population. A total of 559 respondents (faculty, students, and staff) who provide non-instructional support across 23 student service areas at 22 comprehensive regional universities completed a cross-sectional survey assessing mindful self-care, professional quality of life and HRQOL. Path analyses were conducted using EQS 6.4 software to test one model controlled for age, progressing from compassion satisfaction to mindful self-care, to compassion fatigue, to HRQOL. Mindful self-care, particularly supportive structure, mediated the relationship between compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Compassion satisfaction was positively associated with HRQOL through mindful self-care and compassion fatigue. Institutions seeking to address compassion fatigue and promote well-being should implement policies to facilitate self-care by ensuring manageable workloads and balancing internal and external demands.

Cancer Prevention Behaviors in Workers of a Referral Cancer Center in Mexico City: A Pilot Study on Early Detection Awareness for Cancer

BACKGROUND

Prevention strategies for cancer are necessary. Health workers who often serve as role models bear responsibility for prevention counseling and programs. However, whether their habits and behaviors reflect prevention goals are unknown. We describe the prevalence of cancer risk factors and prevention behaviors in health workers of a referral cancer center in Mexico City.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in which workers of the National Cancer Institute were invited to participate in a prevention program, risk factor survey, and nutrition, psychological, and genetic counseling were included. The likelihood of cancer was calculated based on the presence of risk factors. Factors associated with prevention behaviors were identified by logistic regression.

RESULTS

We recruited 301 workers; 77% were women. The median self-reported BMI was 26.4 kg/m2, 9.97% smoked, 78% drank alcohol, and 89% did not get at least 150 min/week of physical activity. In women, age (OR = 1.3 95%CI 1.01-1.06) and physical activity of 150 min/week (OR = 2.52 95% CI 1.28-4.96) were associated with cancer prevention behaviors. No risk factors were associated with healthy behaviors among men.

CONCLUSION

Health workers may have unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors, is essential to create supportive environments to promote cancer prevention counseling and programs effectively.

Are dentists more prone to metabolic syndrome and occupational stress?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study also explored the causes of occupational stress among the participating dentists.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The participants included a conveniently selected sample of dentists (N = 126; Males = 65; Females = 61). The participants' anthropometric measurements/blood sample analysis were carried out and they completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis included demographics, gender/age wise comparison using SPSS (p < 0.05). For the diagnosis of MS, updated criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program was applied.

RESULTS

Participants diagnosed with MS were 13 (10.3%), Males = 11(8.7%) and Females = 2(1.5%). Physical activity of 6 (15.8%) with MS was only 0-2 hours/week. 9 (14.5%) participants with MS declared positive family history for MS. The average systolic (117.55±11.33) and diastolic blood pressure (71.9±9.34) of the participants was found to be normal with no gender wise statistical difference. No gender wise statistical differences (p > 0.05) were observed for cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL. However, significant difference (p = 0.00) was found for the fasting glucose level (Males = 5.69±1.49; Females = 4.94±0.42). Overall mean scoring (3.00±1.11) for the stress showed that the participants fall into the average/moderate level of stress category (Males = 3.16±1.02; Females = 2.83±1.08). Almost two third (68.26%) of the participant's responded that they were under some kind of stress.

CONCLUSIONS

MS was found to be less frequent among the dentists working in the city of Riyadh. Overall, the dentists were under moderate level of occupational stress, with male dentists being more prone to work related stress.

Screen-Based Sedentary Behaviors and Their Association With Metabolic Syndrome Components Among Adults in Mexico

Introduction

Approximately 25% of the adult population worldwide and 49.8% of Mexican adults have metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is the result of unhealthy dietary and sleeping patterns, sedentary behaviors, and physical inactivity. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between sedentary behaviors as screen-based sedentary time (SBST) and each component of metabolic syndrome among adults who participated in the Mexico National Survey of Health and Nutrition Mid-way 2016.

Methods

We analyzed sociodemographic, clinical, and physical activity data from 3,166 adults aged 20 years or older. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to evaluate sedentary behavior. SBST was obtained by counting minutes per week spent watching television, playing video games, and interacting with computers and smartphones. We used Poisson regression to estimate the prevalence ratio of time in front of screens as a continuous variable and its association with metabolic syndrome.

Results

The mean (SD) hours per day of SBST in men was 3.6 (0.4) and in women was 2.8 (0.2). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 59.6%. In men, the risk for metabolic syndrome increased 4% (P < .05) for each hour of SBST. Similarly, for each hour of SBST, the risk of abdominal obesity increased by 4% (P < .01). In women, we observed that the risk of hypertension or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol deficiency increased for each hour of SBST, and the risk of abdominal obesity increased for each hour of SBST in those who were inactive.

Conclusion

Sedentary behavior based on screen time is associated with metabolic syndrome and its components among Mexicans, depending on hours of sleep. Current public health policies should consider strategies for reducing SBST.

Effectiveness of Psychological Support to Healthcare Workers by the Occupational Health Service: A Pilot Experience

Work-related stress is a significant risk for healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of an individual psychological support programme for hospital workers. In all, 35 workers participated (n). A control group of 245 workers (7n) was set. Occupational distress was measured by the General Health Questionnaire, (GHQ-12), the quality of life by the Short Form-36 health survey, (SF-36), and sickness absence was recorded. Costs and benefits of the service were evaluated and the return on investment (ROI) was calculated. The level of distress was significantly reduced in the treated group at the end of the follow-up (p < 0.001). Quality of life had significantly improved (p < 0.003). A 60% reduction of sickness absence days (SADs) following the intervention was recorded. After the treatment, absenteeism in cases was significantly lower than in controls (p < 0.02). The individual improvement of mental health and quality of life was significantly correlated with the number of meetings with the psychologist (p < 0.01 and p < 0.03, respectively). The recovery of direct costs due to reduced sick leave absence was significantly higher than the costs of the programme; ROI was 2.73. The results must be examined with caution, given the very limited number of workers treated; this first study, however, encouraged us to continue the experience.

Evaluation of the correlation between effort-reward imbalance and sleep quality among community health workers

BACKGROUND

A chronic state of imbalance between effort and reward can affect sleep quality. However, few studies have explored the relationship between variables in the work-related stress (the effort-reward imbalance model, ERI model) and sleep quality in community health workers in mainland China. We investigated the relationship between ERI and sleep quality in community health workers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2018 and involved 249 registered doctors and 223 registered nurses. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep problems status of the participants. The ERI questionnaire was administered to evaluate job-related stress. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors related to sleep quality.

RESULTS

The ERI ratio of the 472 health workers was 1.17 ± 0.22, and 273 health workers (57.84%) had PSQI scores > 7.There were statistically significant differences in the effort scores, overcommitment scores and ERI ratio between the health workers with and without sleep problems. The ERI ratio was an independent risk factor for sleep quality; sleep quality, race, type of work, shift work,job title, and personal monthly income were related to the ERI ratio among community health workers.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that sleep problems were prevalent, work effort was greater than reward and a positive correlation between effort-reward and sleep quality among community health workers in China. Managers should focus on the factors that influence sleep problems among community health workers, balance the efforts and rewards of work, and reduce the incidence of sleep problems.

Association between metabolic syndrome and work: an integrative review of the literature

The aim of this study was to highlight the association between occupational aspects and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome among various occupational groups. This is an integrative review of the literature that included articles indexed in the following databases: LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, and CINAHL. We evaluated 32 articles, most of which were published in Englishlanguage medical journals and with level 4 scientific evidence. The occupational aspects most commonly reported as associated with metabolic syndrome were occupation, work shift, and occupational stress. Our results indicated that occupational aspects could negatively interfere with workers' health; more robust longitudinal studies should contribute to further uncovering the reported associations.

Work-Related Psychosocial Stress in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: An Integrative Review

Background: Work-related psychosocial stress can cause mental and physical illnesses resulting in high costs for the individual, the economy and society. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employ the majority of the world’s workforce and often have fewer financial and human resources compared to larger businesses. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on work-related stress in SMEs according to well-established guidelines categorizing psychosocial factors at work. Methods: A systematic database search was carried out in PubMed, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX and Business Source Premiere from March to June 2019, updated in January 2020. Data of included studies were analyzed and mapped into five themes: “work content and task”, “organization of work”, “social relations”, “working environment” and “new forms of work”. Results: After full-text screening, 45 out of 116 studies were included for data extraction. Studies were very heterogeneous and of varying quality, mostly applying a cross-sectional study design. Psychosocial factors in SMEs have been researched with a focus on the work patterns “work organization” and “work content and task”. Conclusions: This review underlines the need for more and better quality research of psychosocial factors in SMEs, particularly in relation to ongoing and new challenges in the workplace, including stressors related to the process of digitalization or the development of safe working conditions during the emerge of new infectious diseases.

Diet, physical activity, and emotional health: what works, what doesn't, and why we need integrated solutions for total worker health

Background

Current research advocates lifestyle factors to manage workers’ health issues, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes mellitus, among other things (World Health Organization (WHO) Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic, 2000; World Health Organization (WHO) Obesity and overweight, 2016), though little is known about employees’ lifestyle factors in high-stress, high turnover environments, such as in the long term care (LTC) sector.

Methods

Drawing on qualitative single-case study in Ontario, Canada, this paper investigates an under-researched area consisting of the health practices of health care workers from high-stress, high turnover environments. In particular, it identifies LTC worker’s mechanisms for maintaining physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Results

The findings suggest that while particular mechanisms were prevalent, such as through diet and exercise, they were often conducted in group settings or tied to emotional health, suggesting important social and mental health contexts to these behaviors. Furthermore, there were financial barriers that prevented workers from participating in these activities and achieving health benefits, suggesting that structurally, social determinants of health (SDoH), such as income and income distribution, are contextually important.

Conclusions

Accordingly, given that workplace health promotion and protection must be addressed at the individual, organizational, and structural levels, this study advocates integrated, total worker health (TWH) initiatives that consider social determinants of health approaches, recognizing the wider socio-economic impacts of workers’ health and wellbeing.

The association between psychological stress and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Literature suggests that occupational stress is associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome; yet less is known whether other sources of stress have similar effects. This review aims to examine whether the relationship between psychological stress and metabolic syndrome differs by sources of stress. Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL) were searched for eligible articles; meta-analyses were conducted using the random effects model. After controlling for covariates, adults in the high-stress groups had 45% higher chance of having metabolic syndrome than adults in the low-stress groups (odds ratio [OR] = 1.450; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.211-1.735; P < .001). The subsequent meta-analysis based on cross-sectional studies suggested that occupational stress showed the strongest effect (OR = 1.692; 95% CI, 1.182-2.424; P = .004), while perceived general stress showed the weakest effect (OR = 1.217; 95% CI, 1.017-1.457; P = .032). Unfortunately, there is a lack of longitudinal studies for subsequent meta-analysis based on sources of stress. There is a need for continued research to examine the long-term relationship between different sources of stress and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Traditional recommendations for preventing metabolic syndrome (eg, low-fat diet and exercise) may not achieve the best outcome if clinicians overlook patients' psychosocial stress.

Sleep problems are a strong predictor of stress-related metabolic changes in police officers. A prospective study

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown that workers chronically exposed to occupational stress have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and sleep problems (SPs). The purpose of this study was to verify whether SPs mediate the relationship between stress and MetS.

METHOD

A 5-year prospective cohort study included 242 police officers from a rapid response unit engaged exclusively in maintaining law and order. Perceived stress levels were measured repeatedly with the demand-control-support and the effort-reward-imbalance questionnaires; insomnia symptoms were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; excessive daytime sleepiness was measured using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. MetS and its components were evaluated at baseline and at follow-up.

RESULTS

During 5-year follow-up period, 26 new cases of MetS were identified. Both occupational stress and SPs were significantly related to incident cases of MetS. Insomnia symptoms showed a highly significant association with MetS (aOR 11.038; CI95% 2.867-42.493). Mediation analysis confirmed that SPs mediate the relationship between stress and MetS. A reciprocal relationship was found between job stress and SPs. Work-related stress was a significant predictor of insomnia symptoms, short sleep duration, sleep dissatisfaction, and sleepiness. Compared to the reference group, police officers with SPs at baseline had significantly higher odds of reporting high stress at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

SPs play a mediating role in the relationship between occupational stress and MetS. Prevention of MetS must include the control of stress factors and an increase in the resilience of workers, but correct sleep hygiene is also an essential factor.

Sleep Problems and Workplace Violence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out to study the relationship between workplace violence and sleep problems.

Methods: The PRISMA statement was used to conduct a systematic search of the literature on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Sociological abstract, DOAJ, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Of the original number of 749 studies, 34 were included in the systematic review, and 7 in the meta-analysis.

Results: A total of 119,361 participants from 15 different countries took part in these studies which were published between 1999 and 2019. Significant heterogeneity was observed among the studies (I² = 96%). In a random-effects meta-analysis model, pooled odds ratio (OR) analysis revealed that there was a direct relationship between occupational exposure to violence and sleep problems (OR = 2.55; 95% CI = 1.77–3.66). According to the GRADE guidelines, the quality of evidence of the association was low.

Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that occupational exposure to physical, verbal, or sexual violence is associated with sleep problems. Further research on the relationship between violence and sleep is needed so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent violence and improve sleep hygiene in the workplace.

Trial Registration Number: PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42019124903) February 9, 2019.

Burnout Syndrome amongst Medical Students in Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Determinants in Preclinical and Clinical Students

Background

Due to a series of recognised psychological stressors in the traditional path of medical studies, medical students are prone to experience burnout syndrome.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the predictors of burnout syndrome amongst medical students in Cameroon.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study which recruited 413 medical students consecutively after sampling three of the five medical schools in Cameroon using a random sequence generator. Data were collected via a printed self-administered questionnaire from consenting participants assessing burnout syndrome using the OLdenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Data was analysed using Stata version 12 and p value significance was set at 95%. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent determinants of burnout syndrome.

Results

An alpha Cronbach coefficient of 0.74 showed that the OLBI assessed the same underlying construct of burnout syndrome in this population. The results of the multiple linear regression showed that five predictors explained 35.0% of the variance (R²= 35.0, F(9, 184) = 10.99, p <0.001). It was found that marital status significantly predicted burnout (Beta: 4.82, p value: 0.024), as well as relationship difficulties (Beta: 3.17, p value <0.001), cumulative GPA (Beta: -2.15, p value: 0.006), regretting the choice of medical studies (Beta: 7.85, p value <0.001), and recreational drug use (Beta: 6.99, p value: 0.005).

Conclusion

Early detection of burnout in medical students in Cameroon could be done by identifying and addressing the potential determinants. The institution of preventive measures against burnout syndrome in medical schools in Cameroon is warranted to decrease the morbidity associated with the condition.

Frequency of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors in health care workers

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, metabolic syndrome is one of the most important public health risk factors. Having this in mind, the present study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors in healthcare workers.

METHOD

This study is a cross-sectional study conducted on 410 healthcare workers in a teaching hospital in Iran. Demographic, occupational, and psychosocial characteristics were assessed using questionnaire. Assessment of metabolic syndrome of hospital staff was performed at workplace during their medical examination.

RESULTS

The frequency of metabolic syndrome was found to be 22.4%. This relationship was found among blood pressure and occupational stress, despite the fact that there was no significant relationship between metabolic syndrome and occupational stress. Higher age, having shift work, and inactivity were associated with metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Considering the high frequency of metabolic syndrome among Iranian healthcare workers, it is advised that effective management should be employed to correct the occupational and psychosocial factors associated with this syndrome.

Shift work, job strain, and metabolic syndrome: Cross-sectional analysis of ELSA-Brasil

BACKGROUND

Shift work and psychosocial stressors may contribute to higher metabolic syndrome (MetS) incidence. Few studies investigated whether the presence of both factors simultaneously has a synergic effect on risk of MetS.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis used baseline data (2008-2010) for 10 960 current workers from ELSA-Brasil. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate independent associations between shift work and job strain and MetS. An interaction between these factors was tested by including a multiplicative term in the final model.

RESULTS

Exposure to three-shifts a week (that is, three 12 h shifts of work followed by 36 h of rest) and high job-strain were independently associated with greater risk of MetS. We found no indication (P > 0.05) of interaction between working in shifts and job strain on MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts to reduce job strain and shift work should be considered as part of a primary prevention strategy to reduce the risk of MetS.

Perceived stress correlates with visceral obesity and lipid parameters of the metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Perceived stress has been proposed as a risk factor of metabolic syndrome. However, correlations between perceived stress and parameters of the metabolic syndrome have not been properly analyzed despite extensive research data on the topic. Our current meta-analysis aimed to examine the mutual association between perceived stress of patients and parameters of metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

This systematic review has been registered on the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD42017055293). Eligible studies divided participants based on their stress level or on the presence of metabolic syndrome. They reported at least one parameter of the metabolic syndrome or the stress level of the participants measured with some stress scale. Data from 17 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included. Random effects model with the DerSimonian and Laird weighting methods was applied. I-squared indicator and Q test were performed to assess heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Although the majority of individual studies failed to demonstrate correlations between stress and their analyzed parameters of metabolic syndrome, our meta-analysis showed a significant association between stress and BMI [average effect size (ES) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI), ES = 0.65, 95%CI 0.16, 1.14), waist circumference (ES = 1.84 cm, 95%CI 0.79, 2.89) and serum triglyceride level (ES = 7.52 mg/dl, 95%CI 0.07, 14.96). Additional analysis confirmed effects of stress on serum HDL (ES = - 1.699 mg/dl, 95%CI -2.966, -0.432) and diastolic blood pressure (ES = 1.04 mmHg, 95%CI 0.18, 1.89). No correlations were found for fasting glucose or systolic blood pressure. No association between metabolic syndrome and stress level of patients was detected either.

CONCLUSION

The potentially key role of visceral obesity in the association between perceived stress and dyslipidemia or diastolic blood pressure are discussed together with potential moderators (e.g. gender-differences, variations in stress assessment and metabolic syndrome criteria) that may explain the inconsistent, contradictory results of the individual studies.

Associations among inflammation, mental health, and quality of life in adults with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a pro-inflammatory state, has become increasingly common worldwide and is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Recently, studies on the relationships among inflammation, mental health, quality of life, and other diseases have been conducted.

METHODS

We investigated the relationship between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, as an indicator of inflammation, and the quality of life and psychiatric symptoms of Korean adults with MetS. The analysis used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional survey of Korean civilians conducted from January to December 2015. Data from 1600 participants were analyzed in this study. Quality of life was assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D) instrument.

RESULTS

Serum hs-CRP levels showed a significant inverse correlation with the EQ-5D index of the overall quality of life. High serum hs-CRP levels were positively associated with mobility problems and suicidal ideation in adults with MetS (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.66, p = 0.036; and multivariate-adjusted OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.23-4.99, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the elevated inflammatory status in MetS is associated with decreased quality of life and mental health problems. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the impact of inflammation on the quality of life and mental health of adults with MetS.

Mental and physical well-being in oncology-hematology-unit personnel

Health care workers (HCWs) in university hematology units (UHUs) face high job demand that can have adverse health effects. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between some job stressors and health-related quality of life among HCWs of 3 UHUs in Rome. Work-related stress was measured with the Demand-Control Questionnaire; health-related functioning with the mental component score (MCS) and physical component score (PCS) of the Short Form 12 Survey; positivity with the Positivity Scale. Data of 201 respondents were analyzed. Job demand was inversely associated with MCS (p = .05) and PCS (p = .049); job control was directly associated with PCS (p < .001) and MCS (p = .024). A high positivity scale score and high decision latitude score predicted high MCS and PCS. High job demand score predicted low MCS and PCS scores. Reduced job stressors and enhanced positive attitudes can improve HCWs' health-related quality of life.

Associations among integrated psychoneuroimmunological factors and metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported to cause considerable psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) disturbances such as, psychological distress, autonomic nervous imbalance, and impaired immune function. Associations among these psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) factors and their integrated effects with MetS and risk components of MetS necessitate further exploration.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated associations among psychoneuroimmunological factors, their integrated effects with MetS and risk components of MetS.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited from two health management centers at a medical center in Northern Taiwan. Demographics and data on psychological distress (e.g., perceived stress and depression) were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Heart rate variability (HRV) and C-reactive protein values (CRP) were measured to evaluate participants' autonomic nervous function and immune reaction. The risk components of MetS (e.g., elevated blood pressure, impaired fasting glucose, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity) were identified according to the Taiwan-specific definition of MetS and were determined based on participants' health examination profiles.

RESULTS

A total of 345 participants with complete data were included for data analysis. Compared with healthy controls, participants with MetS exhibited higher depression scores (11.2±8.5 vs. 8.7±7.0), higher CRP values (2.1±2.5 vs. 0.7±1.0), and lower HRV (total power: 758.7±774.9 vs. 1064.4±1075.0). However, perceived stress in participants with MetS did not significantly differ from that of their healthy counterparts (p>0.05). Univariate analyses indicated that associations among psychoneuroimmunological factors and MetS risk components were statistically heterogeneous: a) perceived stress and depression were significantly associated only with high blood glucose (p<0.05); b) CRP was significantly associated with all MetS risk components (p<0.05); and c) HRV was significantly associated with high triglycerides and high fasting blood glucose (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that the integrated effects of depression, CRP, and HRV were significantly associated with MetS (p<0.01) after controlling for age and education level.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher depression scores, higher CRP values, and lower HRV are independently and additively associated with MetS and risk components of MetS. Accordingly, a multidisciplinary approach to alleviating psychological distress, immune dysfunction, and autonomic nervous imbalance is recommended for promoting well-being in people with subclinical metabolic abnormalities or MetS to minimize downstream health consequences.

Work Stress and Metabolic Syndrome in Police Officers. A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the association between occupational stress and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a rapid response police unit.

METHOD

Work-related stress was continuously monitored during the 5-year period with both the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) and the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) models. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose were measured at baseline in January 2009, and in January 2014. 234 out of 290 police officers (81%) completed the follow-up.

RESULTS

The majority of police officers had high stress levels. At follow-up, police officers in the highest quartile of stress had significantly higher mean levels of triglycerides, and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol than their colleagues in the lowest quartile. Police officers with high stress had an increased adjusted risk of developing MetS (aOR = 2.68; CI95% = 1.08-6.70), and hypertriglyceridemia (aOR = 7.86; CI95 = 1.29-48.04). Demand and Effort were significant predictors of MetS.

CONCLUSION

Our study supports the hypothesis that work-related stress induces MetS, particularly through its effects on blood lipids. Future longitudinal studies with continuous monitoring of stress levels will definitively confirm this hypothesis.