Abstract W P147: Occupational and Risk of Stroke: A Population-Based Study in the United States

• Published in: Stroke (1970) 2014-02, Vol.45 (suppl_1)
• Main Authors: Wang, Chengwei, Mehta, Bijal K, McMurtray, Aaron
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.wp147

Abstract only BACKGROUND: Previous studies on occupational exposure for risk of stroke have been limited in the range of occupations. There has not been a population-based study on a nationally representative sample that investigates the association between a comprehensive list of occupations and risk of stroke in the United States. Objective: To examine the relative risk for the occurrence of stroke between different occupations in the U.S. adult population. METHODS: Population-based complex survey study using the National Health Interview Survey, 2004 through 2012 which included randomly sampled non-institutionalized adults (n=186,539) in the United States.The main variables measured included self-reported stroke defined as ‘Have you ever been told you had a stroke in the past 12 month” by a physician; The predictor variable, occupation, was obtained using the census occupational codes, and regrouped according to North American Industrial Classification System. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Chi-square test was used. RESULTS: After controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, smoking status and alcohol drinking status, and with legal Occupations as a reference group, the likelihood of developing stroke was 1.85 times higher in Production Occupations, 1.92 times higher in Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations, 1.93 times higher in Personal Care and Service Occupations, 1.94 times higher in Transportation and Material Moving Occupations, 2.08 times higher in Healthcare Support Occupations, and 2.11 times higher in Construction and Extraction Occupations. CONCLUSION: This study identifies occupation groups in US adult population with higher risk for stroke. Alleviation from workplace stress is suggested as a goal for behavioral intervention in the higher-risk occupations. Additional research on characteristics of the high risk occupations is needed for guiding prevention in these US job settings.