Longitudinal study of occupational noise exposure and joint effects with job strain and risk for coronary heart disease and stroke in Swedish men

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aims were to investigate whether occupational noise increased the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke and to elucidate interactions with stressful working conditions in a cohort of Swedish men.DesignThis is a prospective cohort study on CHD and stroke in Swedish men followed until death, hospital discharge or until 75 years of age, using Swedish national registers on cause of death and hospital discharges. Baseline data on occupation from 1974 to 1977 were used for classification of levels of occupational noise and job demand-control. Cox regression was used to analyse HRs for CHD and stroke.SettingSwedish men born in 1915–1925.Primary and secondary outcome measuresCHD and stroke.ParticipantsThe participants of the study were men from the Primary Prevention Study, a random sample of 10 000 men born in 1915–1925 in Gothenburg. Subjects with CHD or stroke at baseline or were not employed were excluded. The remaining subjects with complete baseline data on occupation, weight, height, hypertension, diabetes, serum cholesterol and smoking constituted the study sample (5753 men).ResultsThere was an increased risk for CHD in relation to noise levels 75–85 dB(A) and >85 dB(A) compared with <75 dB(A) (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.31, and HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.63, respectively). Exposure to noise peaks also increased the risk for CHD (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.38). Among those with high strain (high demands and low control) combined with noise >75 dB(A), the risk for CHD further increased (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.73). There was no significantly increased risk for stroke in any noise category.ConclusionsExposure to occupational noise was associated with an increased risk for CHD and the risk further increased among those with concomitant exposure to high strain. None of the analysed variables were related to increased risk for stroke.

Occupational exposure to noise and cold environment and the risk of death due to myocardial infarction and stroke

“…Previous studies show an association between occupational noise and cardiovascular diseases and studies showing association with living in cold climate and cardiovascular diseases (Analitis et al 2008;Dzhambov and Dimitrova 2016;Eriksson et al 2018;Gasparrini et al 2015;Skogstad et al 2016;Song et al 2017;Theorell et al 2016). However, to our knowledge this is the first study that shows an interaction between 7 1911-1920 8004 4.1 1921-1930 14,818 7.6 1931-1940 25,017 12.9 1941-1950 46,543 23.9 1951-1960 40,364 20.8 1961-1970 51,901 26.7 1971-1980 occupational noise, cold temperatures and cardiovascular diseases.…”

Reduction of environmental pollutants for prevention of cardiovascular disease: it’s time to act

“…Another noise source investigated in relation to CVD risk is occupational noise; an exposure mainly occurring during daytime. Most existing studies are cross-sectional, and results from a few prospective studies providing conflicting evidence, with some studies indicating an association with CVD, 22 whereas others finding no association, 23 stressing the need for more well-designed prospective studies.…”

Cardiovascular mortality in a Swedish cohort of female industrial workers exposed to noise and shift work

“…A 2016 systematic review found a strong association between occupational noise exposure and high blood pressure but scientific evidence was limited for associations with other types of cardiovascular disease (Skogstad et al 2016 ). However, a longitudinal cohort study of 5753 men found that occupational noise was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease but not of stroke (Eriksson et al 2018 ). Exposure to noise and shift work often occurs concurrently in industrial settings such as the paper industry (Virkkunen et al 2006 ), but few studies have simultaneously assessed the health risk of both exposures.…”