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Open Access 01-09-2017 | Original Communication

Midlife work-related stress is associated with late-life cognition

Authors: Shireen Sindi, Ingemar Kåreholt, Alina Solomon, Babak Hooshmand, Hilkka Soininen, Miia Kivipelto

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 9/2017

Abstract

To investigate the associations between midlife work-related stress and late-life cognition in individuals without dementia from the general population. The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study population (n = 2000) was randomly selected from independent Finnish population-based surveys (baseline mean age 50 years). Participants underwent two re-examinations in late life (mean age 71 and 78 years, respectively). 1511 subjects participated in at least one re-examination (mean total follow-up 25 years). Work-related stress was measured using two questions on work demands administered in midlife. Multiple cognitive domains were assessed. Analyses were adjusted for several potential confounders. Higher levels of midlife work-related stress were associated with poorer performance on global cognition [β-coefficient, −0.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.05 to −0.00], and processing speed [β −0.03, CI −0.05 to −0.01]. Results remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders. Work-related stress was not significantly associated with episodic memory, executive functioning, verbal fluency or manual dexterity. This study shows that global cognition and processing speed may be particularly susceptible to the effects of midlife work-related stress.

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Title: Midlife work-related stress is associated with late-life cognition
Authors: Shireen Sindi
Ingemar Kåreholt
Alina Solomon
Babak Hooshmand
Hilkka Soininen
Miia Kivipelto
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 9/2017
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-017-8571-3

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Midlife work-related stress is associated with late-life cognition

Abstract

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Abstract

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