Association between Work-Related Stress and QT Prolongation in Male Workers

Luigi Isaia Lecca, Igor Portoghese, Nicola Mucci, Maura Galletta, Federico Meloni, Ilaria Pilia, Gabriele Marcias, Daniele Fabbri, Jacopo Fostinelli, Roberto G. Lucchini, Pierluigi Cocco and Marcello Campagna
Additional contact information
Luigi Isaia Lecca: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence Largo Piero Palagi 1, 50139 Florence, Italy
Igor Portoghese: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Blocco I, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Nicola Mucci: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence Largo Piero Palagi 1, 50139 Florence, Italy
Maura Galletta: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Blocco I, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Federico Meloni: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Blocco I, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Ilaria Pilia: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Blocco I, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Gabriele Marcias: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Blocco I, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Daniele Fabbri: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Blocco I, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Jacopo Fostinelli: Occupational Medicine, University of Brescia, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Roberto G. Lucchini: Occupational Medicine, University of Brescia, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Pierluigi Cocco: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Blocco I, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
Marcello Campagna: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Blocco I, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Monserrato, Italy

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Work-related stress is a potential cardiovascular risk factor, but the underlying mechanism is not fully explained. The autonomic nervous system control of cardiac function might play a specific role; therefore, monitoring the QT interval in the electrocardiogram can highlight an autonomic imbalance induced by occupational stressors. The aim of our study was to explore the QT interval parameters as early indicators of imbalance of the autonomic cardiac function in relation to work-related stress. Methods: During 2015–2016 annual workplace health surveillance, we measured work-related stress in 484 workers of a logistic support company using the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) tool. We assessed the frequency-corrected QT (QTc) interval and the QT index (QTi) on the electrocardiogram of each participant, and collected demographic and clinical data. We compared the QTc values by the four Karasek’s categories (active/passive jobs, low/high strain job), and by job support (present/lacking), and conducted multivariate analysis to adjust for possible confounders. Results: The results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that QTc was prolonged among workers operating at a specific site where stress level was found to be elevated. Regular physical activity showed a beneficial effect against QTc prolongation. We did not observe an effect on QTc length by the cross-combined Karasek’s categories of job control, job demand, and job support. Conclusions: Our study suggests subclinical effects of conditions associated with work-related stress on the autonomic regulation of cardiac function. Further research is warranted to elucidate the combined effect of work organization and lifestyle factors on autonomic cardiac function.

Keywords: work-related stress; autonomic nervous system; QTc interval; QT index; cardiovascular diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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