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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-01-2009 | Original Article

Relationship between two alternative occupational stress models and arterial stiffness: a cross-sectional study among Japanese workers

Authors: Megumi Utsugi, Yasuaki Saijo, Eiji Yoshioka, Tetsuro Sato, Naoko Horikawa, Yingyan Gong, Reiko Kishi

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 2/2009

Abstract

Objective

Numerous studies have reported the relationships between job characteristics and coronary heart diseases. However, there are only a few reports on the association between occupational stresses and arterial stiffness as a marker of early stage arthrosclerosis. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between occupational stress models—Siegrist’s effort reward imbalance and Karasek’s demand control model (DCM)—and arterial stiffness using brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV).

Methods

The participants were local government employees (3,412 men and 854 women) aged 35 and over who had their annual health checkups. The associations between occupational stress questionnaires of the two theoretical models and a risk of increased arterial stiffness using baPWV were examined.

Results

On performing multiple linear regression analysis after fully adjusting the model, high strain, which was defined as a combination of both low job control and high job demands in the DCM, was found to be significantly associated with a high risk of arterial stiffness (P = 0.027) in women. However, in men, although low job control was positively significant with a high value of baPWV adjusted for each step, modest but not significant association was found after adjustment for all covariates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the present study indicates that high strain indicated by high demands and low control is associated with increased arterial stiffness in women. The types of job stress associated with a high risk of arterial stiffness may differ by gender.

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Title: Relationship between two alternative occupational stress models and arterial stiffness: a cross-sectional study among Japanese workers
Authors: Megumi Utsugi
Yasuaki Saijo
Eiji Yoshioka
Tetsuro Sato
Naoko Horikawa
Yingyan Gong
Reiko Kishi
Publication date: 01-01-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0319-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Relationship between two alternative occupational stress models and arterial stiffness: a cross-sectional study among Japanese workers

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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