Myocardial infarction risk and occupational categories in Kaunas 25-64 year old men | JoVE Visualize

Myocardial infarction risk and occupational categories in Kaunas 25-64 year old men

V Malinauskiene¹, R Grazuleviciene, M J Nieuwenhuijsen

¹Laboratory of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Cardiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. aplepid@kmu.lt

Occupational and Environmental Medicine|November 1, 2002

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Certain occupations, like managers and professionals, show a higher risk of first-time myocardial infarction (MI). Long-term employment also increases MI risk, highlighting occupational health disparities in Lithuania.

Area of Science:

Occupational Health
Cardiovascular Epidemiology
Public Health in Transition Economies

Background:

Myocardial infarction (MI) poses a significant public health challenge globally.
Occupational factors are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to cardiovascular disease risk.
Understanding these risks is crucial, especially in economies undergoing significant transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between occupational categories and the risk of first-time myocardial infarction (MI) in men.
To examine the impact of employment duration on MI risk.
To explore potential contributing factors in a transition market economy setting.

Main Methods:

A case-control study was conducted in Kaunas, Lithuania, involving men aged 25-64 (1997-2000).
First-time non-fatal MI cases (n=448) and controls (n=1777) were identified and matched.
Logistic regression analysis was used, adjusting for key risk factors like smoking and hypertension, with occupations coded using the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO).

Main Results:

Legislators, senior officials, and managers (ISCO 1st category) showed a twofold increased risk of MI compared to craft workers (ISCO 7th category).
Increased MI risk was also observed for professionals (ISCO 2nd category) and plant/machine operators (ISCO 8th category).
Employment duration of 20+ years in the same occupation nearly doubled the overall MI risk.

Conclusions:

Significant variations in first-time MI risk exist across different occupational categories.
Higher-risk occupations include managers, professionals, and machine operators.
Psychosocial factors, potentially influenced by the transition economy, may play a role in these observed occupational disparities.