1
|
Duchaine CS, Brisson C, Diorio C, Talbot D, Maunsell E, Carmichael PH, Giguère Y, Gilbert-Ouimet M, Trudel X, Ndjaboué R, Vézina M, Milot A, Mâsse B, Dionne CE, Laurin D. Work-Related Psychosocial Factors and Global Cognitive Function: Are Telomere Length and Low-Grade Inflammation Potential Mediators of This Association? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4929. [PMID: 36981836 PMCID: PMC10049148 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The identification of modifiable factors that could maintain cognitive function is a public health priority. It is thought that some work-related psychosocial factors help developing cognitive reserve through high intellectual complexity. However, they also have well-known adverse health effects and are considered to be chronic psychosocial stressors. Indeed, these stressors could increase low-grade inflammation and promote oxidative stress associated with accelerated telomere shortening. Both low-grade inflammation and shorter telomeres have been associated with a cognitive decline. This study aimed to evaluate the total, direct, and indirect effects of work-related psychosocial factors on global cognitive function overall and by sex, through telomere length and an inflammatory index. A random sample of 2219 participants followed over 17 years was included in this study, with blood samples and data with cognitive function drawn from a longitudinal study of 9188 white-collar workers (51% female). Work-related psychosocial factors were evaluated according to the Demand-Control-Support and the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) models. Global cognitive function was evaluated with the validated Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Telomere length and inflammatory biomarkers were measured using standardised protocols. The direct and indirect effects were estimated using a novel mediation analysis method developed for multiple correlated mediators. Associations were observed between passive work or low job control, and shorter telomeres among females, and between low social support at work, ERI or iso-strain, and a higher inflammatory index among males. An association was observed with higher cognitive performance for longer telomeres, but not for the inflammatory index. Passive work overall, and low reward were associated with lower cognitive performance in males; whereas, high psychological demand in both males and females and high job strain in females were associated with a higher cognitive performance. However, none of these associations were mediated by telomere length or the inflammatory index. This study suggests that some work-related psychosocial factors could be associated with shorter telomeres and low-grade inflammation, but these associations do not explain the relationship between work-related psychosocial factors and global cognitive function. A better understanding of the biological pathways, by which these factors affect cognitive function, could guide future preventive strategies to maintain cognitive function and promote healthy aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S. Duchaine
- Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ), CIUSSS-Capitale Nationale, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- VITAM, Centre de Recherche en santé Durable, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Institut sur le Vieillissement et la Participation Sociale des Aînés, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Chantal Brisson
- Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ), CIUSSS-Capitale Nationale, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- VITAM, Centre de Recherche en santé Durable, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Caroline Diorio
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Denis Talbot
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Maunsell
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Pierre-Hugues Carmichael
- Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ), CIUSSS-Capitale Nationale, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Yves Giguère
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Mahée Gilbert-Ouimet
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Canada Research Chair in Sex and Gender in Occupational Health, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Campus de Lévis, Lévis, QC G6V 0A6, Canada
| | - Xavier Trudel
- Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ), CIUSSS-Capitale Nationale, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- VITAM, Centre de Recherche en santé Durable, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Ruth Ndjaboué
- School of Social Work, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Michel Vézina
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec (INSPQ), Québec, QC G1V 5B3, Canada
| | - Alain Milot
- Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ), CIUSSS-Capitale Nationale, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Benoît Mâsse
- École de Santé Publique de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Clermont E. Dionne
- Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ), CIUSSS-Capitale Nationale, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- VITAM, Centre de Recherche en santé Durable, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Institut sur le Vieillissement et la Participation Sociale des Aînés, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - Danielle Laurin
- Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ), CIUSSS-Capitale Nationale, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- VITAM, Centre de Recherche en santé Durable, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Institut sur le Vieillissement et la Participation Sociale des Aînés, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fu X, Du B, Chen Q, Norbäck D, Lindgren T, Janson C, Runeson-Broberg R. Self-rated health (SRH), recovery from work, fatigue, and insomnia among commercial pilots concerning occupational and non-occupational factors. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1050776. [PMID: 36684912 PMCID: PMC9846758 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1050776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study investigated associations of self-rated health (SRH), recovery from work, fatigue, and insomnia with working conditions, the psychosocial work environment, lifestyle, and sense of coherence (SOC) among commercial pilots. Methods A standardized questionnaire was sent to all pilots in an airline company, of whom 354 (61%) responded. Associations were analyzed via ordinal and logistic regression with mutual adjustment. Results Overall, 21.8% of participants reported low SRH, 13.0% reported not recovering from work during their free time, 61.9% experienced fatigue, and 70.6% experienced insomnia symptoms. A high level of demand at work was associated with poor SRH and more fatigue, and low social support at work was associated with insomnia and poorer recovery from work. Habits surrounding exercise and BMI were associated with SRH. Part-time pilots and captains reported experiencing better recovery from work than their counterparts, while female pilots and younger pilots reported less fatigue. Amount of free time after work and the type of airplane operated were associated with experience of insomnia symptoms. Finally, having a strong sense of coherence was protectively associated with all health outcomes. Conclusion The psychosocial environment at work is essential for the health of pilots, and a strong sense of coherence can be protective. Occupational conditions may influence recovery from work, fatigue, and insomnia. Moreover, engaging in exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, working part-time, and having more free time after the working day could improve pilots' health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Fu
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bingqian Du
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingsong Chen
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dan Norbäck
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Torsten Lindgren
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christer Janson
- Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Roma Runeson-Broberg
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|