BMJ  2006;332:521-525 (4 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.38693.435301.80 (published 20 January 2006)

Research

Chronic stress at work and the metabolic syndrome: prospective study

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the association between stress at work and the metabolic syndrome.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 4 Risk of having the metabolic syndrome by relative index of inequality of employment grade. Multivariate multiple imputation logistic regression models: non-retired men and women in the Whitehall II cohort at phase 5

 
Design Prospective cohort study investigating the association between work stress and the metabolic syndrome.

Participants 10 308 men and women, aged 35-55, employed in 20 London civil service departments at baseline (the Whitehall II study); follow-up was an average of 14 years.

Main outcome measures Work stress based on the iso-strain model, measured on four occasions (1985-99). Biological measures of the metabolic syndrome, based on the National Cholesterol Education Program definition, measured in 1997-9.

Results A dose-response relation was found between exposure to work stressors over 14 years and risk of the metabolic syndrome, independent of other relevant risk factors. Employees with chronic work stress (three or more exposures) were more than twice as likely to have the syndrome than those without work stress (odds ratio adjusted for age and employment grade 2.25, 95% confidence interval 1.31 to 3.85).

Conclusions Stress at work is an important risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. The study provides evidence for the biological plausibility of the link between psychosocial stressors from everyday life and heart disease.

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