The interactive effects of metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, and mental health in worksite employees

The psychological burden associated with metabolic syndrome: Evidence from UK and US older adults

Introduction

We examined the psychological burden associated with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn).

Methods

We used comparable longitudinal data of older adults (≥50 years) from the UK (English Longitudinal Study of Aging) and the US (Health and Retirement Study). We defined MetSyn based on biomarker assessments (e.g., blood pressure, impaired glycemic control). Using regression models, we tested a range of individual psychological outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms) associated with MetSyn. We also examined whether these psychological outcomes may explain or moderate the link between MetSyn and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Findings

MetSyn was associated cross-sectionally with a range of psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, loneliness, hopelessness, cynical hostility, social strain, negative affect and decreased positive affect, social support and purpose in life. There was no convincing evidence that psychological factors interacted with or explained (mediated) the relationship between MetSyn and increased risk of developing NCD over 10-year follow-ups.

Conclusions

MetSyn and the psychological burden outcomes examined may have independent effects on NCD risk.

Retrospective Analysis of Annual Worksite Preventive Health Checkups on Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To examine worksite preventive care checkups on the prevalence of hypertension and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

METHODS

Participants (N = 9269) participated in four annual checkups, counseled, and referred for physician follow-up. Hypertension and MetS prevalence were examined using general linear models or chi-squared analyses.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in the prevalence of hypertension in men (20 to 39 years [20% vs. Y2 9%], 40 to 65 years [38% vs. 20%], 65+ years [38% vs. 24%]) and women (20 to 39 years [8% vs. 4%], 40 to 65 years [23% vs. 11%], 65+ years [29% vs. 15%]), continuing through Y4. MetS followed a similar, yet attenuated pattern, with significance noted in men: (40 to 65 years; Y1 [48%] vs. Y2 [38%]; 65+ years [Y1 [42%] vs. Y3 [40%]]), and women (40 to 65 years group [Y1 [36%] vs. Y3 [32%]]; 65+ years [Y1 [41%] vs. Y3 [38%]]).

CONCLUSION

Preventive care checkups concurrent with physician referral may significantly help reduce hypertension and MetS in the workplace.

Depression, anxiety disorders, and metabolic syndrome in a population at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Depressive symptoms have been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but less is known about anxiety disorders that can be comorbid or exist without depression.

METHODS

We evaluated the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in subjects consecutively examined at an outpatient clinic for diabetes prevention who were at-risk for T2DM, defined by FINDRISK scores, and compared metabolic syndrome (MetS) frequencies between subjects with and without psychiatric morbidity, entering also relevant variables for MetS into multivariate analyses. All subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Psychiatric diagnosis was confirmed using a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.

RESULTS

Of 260 consecutively screened subjects, 150 (56.9±8.1 years old, males=56.7%, BMI=27.2±4.1 kg/m2) were at-risk for T2DM and were included. MetS, present in 27% of males and 25% of females, was significantly associated with having a current anxiety disorder (P<0.001) and lifetime major depression (P<0.001). In logistic regression analysis, MetS was significantly associated with lifetime major depression, presence of any anxiety disorder, body weight, and physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data in a high-risk group for T2DM support the association between depressive disorders and MetS, pointing to a similar role of anxiety disorders. Screening for anxiety and depression is recommended in this group at risk for T2DM.

School burnout: increased sympathetic vasomotor tone and attenuated ambulatory diurnal blood pressure variability in young adult women

Two studies examined autonomic and cardiovascular functioning that may link school burnout to cardiovascular risk factors in young healthy adult females. Study 1 (N = 136) investigated whether school burnout was related to resting values of blood pressure (BP) and blood pressure variability (BPV) through laboratory beat-to-beat BP assessment. Study 2 (N = 94) examined the link between school burnout and diurnal BPV through ambulatory BP monitoring. Controlling for anxiety and depressive symptomatology, school burnout demonstrated strong positive relationships with indices of cardiac sympathovagal tone, sympathetic vasomotor tone, inefficient myocardial oxygen consumption, increased 24-h ambulatory heart rate and BP, blunted BP diurnal variability, and increased arterial stiffness. These studies establish cardiovascular biomarkers of school burnout and suggest that even in a seemingly healthy sample school burnout may predispose females to increased cardiovascular risk. Several future lines of research are outlined.

Effects of an internet-based lifestyle intervention on cardio-metabolic risks and stress in Korean workers with metabolic syndrome: a controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effects of an Internet-based Best Exerciser Super Trainer (BEST) program on cardio-metabolic risks and stress among workers with metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

This study utilized a non-randomized, pretest, and posttest, controlled design with a convenience sample of 48 Korean male workers. The workers in the BEST group participated in a 16-week Internet-based program: 150 min of regular physical activity per week, 200- to 300-kcal reduced daily diet for weight control, one-on-one counseling, and mobile phone text messages. Workers in the Education group received text messages and an educational booklet.

RESULTS

There were significant group by time interactions in cardio-metabolic risks: body weight (p = .022), visceral fat mass (p = .033), and waist circumference (p = .037). There was no group by time interaction in stress (p > .05); however, the BEST group showed a significantly greater reduction in health-related stress than those in the Education group (p = .025).

CONCLUSION

This study yielded evidence of the beneficial impact of the Internet-based BEST program for workers with metabolic syndrome on selected cardio-metabolic risks and health-related stress.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Internet-based one-on-one counseling and mobile phone text messages can assist individuals with targeted lifestyle modifications for metabolic syndrome.

Work stress and metabolic syndrome in radiologists: first evidence

PURPOSE

Scientific data have amply demonstrated that work stress increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, less attention has been given to the association between stress and metabolic syndrome. In this study, our aim was to investigate the relationship between work stress and metabolic syndrome in a population of radiologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radiologists and radiotherapists taking part in scientific conferences were invited to compile a questionnaire to evaluate work stress and the main parameters for diagnosing metabolic syndrome (obesity, hypertension, elevated cholesterol level, elevated triglycerides, and hyperglycemia).

RESULTS

Most of the doctors taking part in the survey (n = 383, 58.6 %) were found to have at least one pathological component; 47 subjects (7.1 %) had metabolic syndrome. All the variables indicating work stress, whether derived from Karasek's demand/control model or from the effort/reward model devised by Siegrist, were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome components. Radiologists with elevated levels of stress had a significantly higher risk of being affected by metabolic syndrome than colleagues with lower stress levels, whether stress was defined as "job strain", i.e., elevated work load and reduced discretionary power (OR 4.89, 95 % CI 2.51-9.55), or as "effort reward imbalance", i.e., mismatch between effort and reward for the work performed (OR 4.66, 95 % CI 2.17-10.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Should the results of this cross-sectional study be confirmed by a subsequent longitudinal survey, they would indicate the need for prompt organizational intervention to reduce occupational stress in radiologists.

High prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an elderly Croatian population - a multicentre study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a healthy elderly Croatian population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study consisting of a health check including anthropometric measures and food questionnaires as well as analysis of biochemical parameters related to MetS. The diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) were used for diagnosis of MetS.

SETTING

Four centres in continental (Virovitica and Zagreb) and Adriatic coast (Split and Omiš) regions of Croatia.

SUBJECTS

Free-living elderly persons aged 70-90 years (n 320).

RESULTS

Significantly lower MetS prevalence was found among participants from small urban centres compared with those from large urban centres (59·1 % v. 69·6 %; P = 0·051). Participants without MetS consumed wine more frequently (P = 0·05) than those with MetS. Compared with their peers with HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) <1·03 mmol/l, more male participants with HDL-C ≥1·03 mmol/l consumed wine (P = 0·04) or pelagic fish (P = 0·03). The prevalence of participants with TAG ≥1·7 mmol/l was higher in wine non-consumers (P = 0·05) than in wine consumers. Multivariate analysis with age and gender as covariates showed a significant inverse association of wine consumption with total cholesterol (P < 0·001), a positive association with HDL-C (P < 0·001) and a marginally inverse association with TAG (P = 0·06). In the male population, alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase activities were higher in participants with MetS (P < 0·05).

CONCLUSIONS

High MetS prevalence was observed in an elderly Croatian population. Data showed that moderate consumption of wine and/or pelagic fish has a protective role against MetS in the population studied.