Men with a higher occupational position than expected given their educational attainment had a nearly two-fold increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases compared to status consistent men (OR 1.8).
Cohort (n=15,030)
Does social status inconsistency increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the general population?
Status inconsistent men (occupational position higher than education) have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases than status consistent men, which is not explained by harmful health behaviors.
Odds Ratio: 1.8 (95% CI 1.5–2.4)
Absolute Event Rate: 7.2% vs 3.8%
p-value: p=<0.001
BACKGROUND: Social inequalities in cardiovascular diseases are well documented. Yet, the relation of social status inconsistency (having different ranks in two or more status indicators like education, occupational position or income) and medical conditions of heart or vessels is not clear. Status inconsistency (SI) is assumed to be stressful, and the association of psychosocial distress and health is well known. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the relationship between cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and status inconsistency. Another target was to assess the influence of behaviour related risk factors on this association. METHODS: 8960 men and 6070 women, aged 45-65 years, from the EPIC-Heidelberg cohort (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) were included. Socio-economic status was assessed by education/vocational training and occupational position at recruitment. During a median follow-up of 8.7 years, information on CVD was collected. RESULTS: Compared to status consistent subjects, men who were in a higher occupational position than could be expected given their educational attainment had a nearly two-fold increased incidence of CVD (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.5; 2.4, adjusted for age). Smoking behaviour and BMI differed significantly between those who had adequate occupational positions and those who did not. Yet, these lifestyle factors, as opposed to age, did not contribute to the observed differences in CVD. No association of cardiovascular diseases and status inconsistency was found for women or in cases where education exceeded occupational position. CONCLUSIONS: Status inconsistent men (occupational position > education) had a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases than status consistent men. However, harmful behaviour did not explain this relationship.
Braig et al. (Wed,) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction and stroke) (n=15,030). Social status inconsistency (occupational position > education) vs. Status consistent subjects was evaluated on Incidence of cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction and stroke) (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.4, p=<0.001). Men with a higher occupational position than expected given their educational attainment had a nearly two-fold increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases compared to status consistent men (OR 1.8).