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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-08-2021 | Original Article

Associations between work-related stressors and QALY in a general working population in Japan: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Yui Hidaka, Kotaro Imamura, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Akizumi Tsutsumi, Akihito Shimazu, Akiomi Inoue, Hisanori Hiro, Yuko Odagiri, Yumi Asai, Toru Yoshikawa, Etsuko Yoshikawa, Norito Kawakami

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2021

Abstract

Objective

To investigate an association between quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and work-related stressors (job strain, effort/reward imbalance, and poor support from supervisor and coworkers), and estimate loss in QALY caused by these stressors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study investigated data from a third-wave survey (in December 2017) of a 2-year prospective cohort study of Japanese workers. At baseline (first-wave survey), 5000 participants were recruited from workers who registered with an internet survey company. A total of 2530 participants responded to the second-wave survey 1 year later. Participants were then further recruited to the third-wave survey. An online questionnaire collected information regarding health-related quality of life (measured by EQ-5D-5L), job strain, supervisor and coworker support (Brief Job Stress Questionnaire), effort/reward imbalance (Effort/reward Imbalance Questionnaire), and demographic variables (age, sex, education, occupation, work contract, smoking, and alcohol drinking). Multiple linear regression analysis of the QALY score calculated from responses to EQ-5D-5L was employed on standardized scores of the work-related stressors and adjusted for demographic variables (SPSS version 26).

Results

Data of 1986 participants were analyzed. Job strain (unstandardized coefficient, b = − 0.013, p < 0.01) and effort/reward imbalance (b = − 0.011, p < 0.01) and coworker support (b = 0017, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with QALY score in the fully adjusted model.

Conclusion

Job strain, effort/reward imbalance, and poor coworker support may be associated with a reduced QALY score among workers. A substantial impairment in QALY associated with the work-related stressors indicates that workplace interventions targeting work-related stressors may be cost-effective.

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Title: Associations between work-related stressors and QALY in a general working population in Japan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yui Hidaka
Kotaro Imamura
Kazuhiro Watanabe
Akizumi Tsutsumi
Akihito Shimazu
Akiomi Inoue
Hisanori Hiro
Yuko Odagiri
Yumi Asai
Toru Yoshikawa
Etsuko Yoshikawa
Norito Kawakami
Publication date: 01-08-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-021-01710-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Associations between work-related stressors and QALY in a general working population in Japan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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