Assessment of Occupational Risks of Arterial Hypertension in Metal Workers

Introduction: Arterial hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases and causes of death in the working-age population, which determines the relevance of studying the etiological aspects of its development for early prevention. Objective: To assess occupational risks of developing arterial hypertension in metal workers for elaboration of appropriate preventive measures. Materials and Methods: We examined working conditions and the prevalence of arterial hypertension among 453 metal workers (mean age: 46.91 ± 10.27 years; mean work record: 18.46 ± 12.98 years) using generally ac-cepted hygienic and epidemiological methods. Parameters of microclimate, noise, whole body and hand-arm vi-bration, as well as workplace air pollution with chemicals and particulate matter, and work severity factors were analyzed using data from a special assessment of working conditions in compliance with Russian Guidelines R 2.2.2006–05. Prevalence and nosological structure were analyzed based on the results of preventive medical ex-aminations conducted in 2023 at the Clinic of General and Occupational Diseases of the Saratov Hygiene Medical Research Center and data from Reporting Form No. 25/u, Outpatient Medical Record. The causal relationship be-tween occupational risk factors and arterial hypertension was assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in Guidelines R 2.2.3969–23. Results: Metal workers were found to be exposed to a range of occupational hazards posing high and very high occupational health risks (classes of working conditions: 3.3–3.4). Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 32 % of the workers, mostly women (p = 0.0637). The incidence of arterial hypertension increased with age: after 40 years in men (p = 0.01) and after 50 years in women (p = 0.0000). With ≥ 20 years of work experience, the preva-lence increased in both men and women (p = 0.0035 and p = 0.0009, respectively). We established strong and very strong correlations between working conditions and arterial hypertension (RR = 2.088–3.573; EF = 52–72 %). Occupational noise exposure (OR = 1.440, p = 0.04118) and age (OR = 1.215, p < 0.00000) increased the risk of arterial hypertension. The levels of personal occupational risk of the disease exceeded the acceptable level and were estimated as moderate for 41.85 % (1×10–3–1×10–2) and medium for 22.68 % (1×10–2–3×10–2) of the workers. Conclusions: Occupational health risk for metal workers is due to hypertension related to high noise exposure, work record, and age. Occupational risk levels serve as the basis for group and personalized prevention.