Open AccessCohort study of long working hours and increase in blood high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein ( hsCRP ) concentration: Mechanisms of overwork and cardiovascular disease
Author(s) -
Lee Woncheol,
Yim Hyeon Woo,
Lee Yeseong
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1002/1348-9585.12359
Subject(s) - medicine , incidence (geometry) , c reactive protein , odds ratio , confidence interval , cohort , cohort study , diabetes mellitus , overwork , risk factor , gastroenterology , inflammation , endocrinology , physics , optics , labour economics , economics
Objectives We aimed to find evidence of the inflammation‐mediated mechanism by which long working hours contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods This cohort study was performed in 56 953 Korean adults free of CVD who underwent a comprehensive screening examination and were followed for up to 7 years. An increase in blood high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) of 1 mg/L or more at the follow‐up visit was defined as an incidence. The average weekly working hours in the past year were categorized as ≤40, 41–52, 53–60, and ≥60 h per week. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized estimating equations to calculate the risk of an incidental increase of hsCRP. Results Participants with longer working hours had a higher incidence of hsCRP. Multivariable‐adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of incident cases for ≥61 h compared with ≤40 h was 1.69 (1.04–2.75). In subgroup analyses according to sex and the presence of hypertension and diabetes, the risk of hsCRP incidence were highest in the group working more than 61 h in all subgroups, but none of them were statistically significant. Conclusions Working hours are independently associated with increased risk of elevated hsCRP in a dose–response relationship. Excessive long‐time work is a risk factor for CVD, and it was found that an increase in hsCRP was associated with the pathogenesis.