Berufliche Stellung und Pr�valenz kardiovaskul�rer Risikoindikatoren bei berufst�tigen M�nnern in der deutschsprachigen Schweiz

Abstract

Based on a sample of 623 employed men from the Berne Workplace Health Project ("Härz-As-Project") we studied the relationship between the occupational status and prevalence of cardiovascular risk indicators. Besides "biological" risk indicators, like high total cholesterol, low HDL-cholesterol, hypertension, and overweight, we also studied two behavioral risk indicators (current smoking, physical inactivity in leisure time) and a summary risk score. Odds ratios for several risk indicators controlled for age, were markedly different among different occupational status groups. High cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios were more common in lower occupational status groups, while the likelihood for hypertension and high total cholesterol was highest among qualified workers. There was a strong association between occupational status and the behavioral risk indicators smoking and physical inactivity in leasure time. Similarly, 1 or more risk indicators, and more than 2 risk indicators, respectively, were also found to be strongly related to occupational status. Our results confirm former findings of unequal distribution of cardiovascular disease risk indicators among groups of different occupational status. Future studies will have to focus upon the underlying causes for these inequities.

Unemployment and cardiovascular diseases: a causal relationship?

“…In addition, in numerous recent socio-medical investigations ± independent of region and social security system ± conspicuous socio-economic dierences were reported regarding cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Positive relationships were seen between an adverse socio-economic situation or low social class and an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors [15,37].…”