Key result
Higher levels of perceived work-related stress were unexpectedly associated with decreased carotid intima-media thickness (r = -0.26) and lower prevalence of atherosclerotic plaque (r = -0.28).
Why the study?
Does perceived work-related stress correlate with preclinical atherosclerosis in healthy employees?
Cross-Sectional (n=150)
Does perceived work-related stress correlate with preclinical atherosclerosis in healthy employees?
Effect estimate: r = -0.26 for IMT, r = -0.28 for plaque
p-value: p=<0.01
Perceived work-related stress is negatively correlated with preclinical atherosclerosis, suggesting possible somatization of stress in individuals reporting low stress levels.
Unexpected inverse association of work stress with carotid atherosclerosis should not change practice; leaves open reporting bias in observational data.
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived work-related stress and preclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 100 managers and 50 office workers aged 35-65 participated in a questionnaire study. Individual, family and work-related stress risk factors and coping were evaluated in all the studied individuals. Serum levels of biochemical (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, glucose) and serological risk factors of atherosclerosis (anticardiolipin, anti-beta(2) GPI, anti-oxLDL, anti-HSP and anti-hsCRP antibodies) were evaluated. A computer analysis of B-mode ultrasound images was used to assess carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaque in carotid arteries. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS v. 11.5. RESULTS: The studied individuals showed average ranges of both the global stress level and of coping results. In 71% no changes were found in the ultrasound image and in 29% of individuals (43) the presence of plaque was shown. The mean value of the IMT measure was 0.0618 +/- 0.013 mm. IMT and plaque correlated negatively with the level of global work-related stress (r = -0.26; P < 0.01; and r = -0.28; P < 0.01; respectively). No correlation was found either between work-related stress and coping, or between coping and IMT (P > 0.05), or between work-related stress and healthy lifestyle (no smoking, no excessive use of alcohol, high physical activity), or between healthy lifestyle and IMT (P > 0.05). Positive correlation between IMT and LDL and smoking did not result from higher stress reaction in the studied individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The explanation of the negative correlation between perceived work-related stress and preclinical atherosclerosis was not confirmed either by the subjects under high stress undertaking healthy protective activities or by their escaping into unhealthy behaviour. The most probable interpretation of the results is that in individuals with a low level of perceived work-related stress, somatization of stress takes place.
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Bugajska et al. (2008) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy employees (preclinical atherosclerosis) (n=150). Perceived work-related stress vs. Lower perceived work-related stress was evaluated on Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaque (r = -0.26 for IMT, r = -0.28 for plaque, p=<0.01). Higher levels of perceived work-related stress were unexpectedly associated with decreased carotid intima-media thickness (r = -0.26) and lower prevalence of atherosclerotic plaque (r = -0.28).
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