Characteristics of Coronary Heart Disease in Japanese Taxi Drivers as Determined by Coronary Angiographic Analyses.

Abstract

Several epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of ischemic heart disease is higher in occupational drivers than in people with other occupations. Although occupation categories can be surrogate measures for coronary risk factors, the relationships between taxi driving and severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been investigated. Even more important, the contribution of risk factors to the severity of CHD in taxi drivers remains unclear. Our study tested the hypothesis that taxi driving could be associated with the severity of CHD. We also examined the relation between this occupation and risk factors and social lifestyle. We analyzed the coronary angiograms of 57 consecutive male taxi driver patients and compared them with those of 215 ageadjusted male non-taxi-driver patients. The number of diseased vessels and risk factors were compared between two groups. The prevalence of myocardial infarction and multi-vessel disease was higher in the taxi-driver patients than in the non-taxi-driver patients. The taxi-driver patients had higher prevalence of body mass index (BMI), diabetes, and smoking, higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and lower levels of apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that multi-vessel disease was associated with BMI and diabetes mellitus in taxi-driver patients. The taxi-driver patients were characterized by more extensive coronary atherosclerosis associated with higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and obesity. These characteristics may be explained by in part their working environment.

Step On It! Workplace Cardiovascular Risk Assessment of New York City Yellow Taxi Drivers

“…1,2 In a Japanese study, the prevalence of myocardial infarction and multi-vessel disease was higher among male taxi drivers than non-drivers. 3 In a Swedish study, drivers had higher rates of smoking, overweight, low physical activity, and job strain compared to men in the general population. 4 Elevated myocardial infarction risk remained after adjusting for these factors and for diabetes, hypertension, and socioeconomic group.…”

Acute effects of cigarette smoking on the heart rate variability of taxi drivers during work

“…Various epidemiologic studies have revealed that the incidence (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) and hospitalization rate (6, 7) of cardiovascular disease are high, and taxi-driver patients are characterized by more extensive coronary atherosclerosis in association with a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and obesity than nontaxi-driver referents (8). In Japan, a notable number of taxi drivers is involved in karoshi (death from overwork) cases (9).…”

Acute Aortic Dissection Occurring “Behind The Wheel”, Report of 11 Cases

“…Kurosaka et al reported a greater prevalence of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and habitual smoking among Japanese taxi drivers than in other occupational workers. 10) We believe that similar health status trends may increase the incidence of AAD among Japanese commercial dirivers. Regular health checkups and improvements in the work enviroment are important for prevention of aortic disease.…”

“…Previous study reported that the prevalence of CAD is higher among occupational drivers than among persons of other occupations. 10) However, few previous studies have investigated whether a relationship exists between occupational driving and the development of aortic disease. Some specific sports activities, including weight lifting, can trigger the onset of AAD due to a rapid increase in hemodynamic stress.…”