Job strain and the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among white-collar workers

• Published in: Hypertension research 2019-10, Vol.42 (10), p.1616-1623
• Main Authors: Lavigne-Robichaud, Mathilde, Trudel, Xavier, Duchaine, Caroline S, Milot, Alain, Gilbert-Ouimet, Mahée, Vézina, Michel, Talbot, Denis, Dalens, Violaine, Aubé, Karine, Brisson, Chantal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diabetes; Hypertension; Occupational stress; Pressure measurement; Trends; White collar workers
• ISSN: 0916-9636; 1348-4214
• DOI: 10.1038/s41440-019-0278-7

To determine whether white-collar workers treated for hypertension who are exposed to psychosocial stressors at work have a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension than unexposed workers, this study conducted three waves of data collection over a 5-year period (repeated cross-sectional design). The study sample was composed of 464 white-collar workers treated for hypertension. At each collection time, ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was measured every 15 min during the workday. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as a mean daytime systolic ABP ≥135 mmHg and/or diastolic ABP ≥85 mmHg for non-diabetic participants and systolic ABP ≥125 mmHg and/or diastolic ABP ≥75 mmHg for diabetic participants. Job strain was evaluated with Karasek's demand-latitude model using validated scales for psychological demands and decision latitude. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle-related risk factors. Men with job strain (high demands and low latitude) and active jobs (high demands and high latitude) had a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension (PR job strain = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.07-1.98 and PR active = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.12-1.94). When considered separately, high demands were associated with a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in both men (PR highest tertile = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.25-2.06) and women (PR highest tertile = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.03-2.47). Workers exposed to psychosocial stressors at work according to the demand-latitude model had a higher prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. Reducing these frequent exposures could help to reduce the burden of uncontrolled hypertension.