Occupational noise and ischemic heart disease: A systematic review

Abstract

Noise exposure might be a risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD). Unlike residential exposure, however, evidence for occupational noise is limited. Given that high-quality quantitative synthesis of existing data is highly warranted for occupational safety and policy, we aimed at conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the risks of IHD morbidity and mortality because of occupational noise exposure. We carried out a systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and on the Internet since April 2, 2015, in English, Spanish, Russian, and Bulgarian. A quality-scoring checklist was developed a priori to assess different sources of methodological bias. A qualitative data synthesis was performed. Conservative assumptions were applied when appropriate. A meta-analysis was not feasible because of unresolvable methodological discrepancies between the studies. On the basis of five studies, there was some evidence to suggest higher risk of IHD among workers exposed to objectively assessed noise >75–80 dB for <20 years (supported by one high, one moderate, and one low quality study, opposed by one high and one moderate quality study). Three moderate and two low quality studies out of six found self-rated exposure to be associated with higher risk of IHD, and only one moderate quality study found no effect. Out of four studies, a higher mortality risk was suggested by one moderate quality study relying on self-rated exposure and one of high-quality study using objective exposure. Sensitivity analyses showed that at higher exposures and in some vulnerable subgroups, such as women, the adverse effects were considerably stronger. Despite methodological discrepancies and limitations of the included studies, occupational noise appeared to be a risk factor for IHD morbidity. Results suggested higher risk for IHD mortality only among vulnerable subgroups. Workers exposed to high occupational noise should be considered at higher overall risk of IHD.

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.…”

“…Some studies indicate that occupational noise has non-auditory effects on the cardiovascular health such as increased risks of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke (Dzhambov and Dimitrova 2016;Skogstad et al 2016;Theorell et al 2016). Several studies have found that living in cold climate or cooling of the body increases mortality in cardiovascular disease (Analitis et al 2008;Gasparrini et al 2015;Song et al 2017).…”

Associations between Positive Health-Related Effects and Soundscapes Perceptual Constructs: A Systematic Review

“…Considering the unresolvable differences in the metrics across the selected studies, a quality assessment and quantitative meta-analysis under the quality-effects model were not possible [ 34 ]. Therefore, a qualitative approach to data synthesis was adopted to answer the review question.…”

Association between Noise Pollution and Prevalent Ischemic Heart Disease

“…It used objective measure of road traffi c noise and adjusted for most of the relevant covariates. 4,5 Like some previous studies 6,14 ours has limitations. Its cross-sectional design means that we could not confi rm that the exposure preceded the outcome.…”

“…Heretofore, studies have been discordant due to differences in design and exposure/outcome defi nition. 5 Gan et al 6 reported OR=2.04 (95% CI: 1.16, 3.58) among people exposed to loud noise for 1.6 -18.8 years, Virkkunen et al 7 found HR = 1.27 (95% CI:1.13,1.44) for those exposed to > 80 dB during an 18-year follow-up, while Jovanovic et al 8 did not fi nd elevated odds for exposure to > 80 dB, and neither did Thériault et al 9 Overall, although there was some evidence to suggest higher risk of IHD morbidity, it was limited. 5 In Bulgaria, this topic is a pressing issue given that both IHD and noise exposure are highly prevalent.…”