Association of Occupational Distress and Low Sleep Quality with Syncope, Presyncope, and Falls in Workers

Nicola Magnavita, Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio, Gabriele Arnesano, Anna Cerrina, Maddalena Gabriele, Sergio Garbarino, Martina Gasbarri, Angela Iuliano, Marcella Labella, Carmela Matera, Igor Mauro and Franca Barbic
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Nicola Magnavita: Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio: Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Gabriele Arnesano: Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Anna Cerrina: Local Sanitary Unit Roma4, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy
Maddalena Gabriele: Local Sanitary Unit Roma4, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy
Sergio Garbarino: Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Martina Gasbarri: Local Sanitary Unit Roma4, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy
Angela Iuliano: Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Marcella Labella: Local Sanitary Unit Roma4, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy
Carmela Matera: Local Sanitary Unit Roma4, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy
Igor Mauro: Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Franca Barbic: Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: Syncope and presyncope episodes that occur during work could affect one’s safety and impair occupational performance. Few data are available regarding the prevalence of these events among workers. The possible role of sleep quality, mental stress, and metabolic disorders in promoting syncope, presyncope, and falls in workers is unknown. In the present study, 741 workers (male 35.4%; mean age 47 ± 11 years), employed at different companies, underwent clinical evaluation and blood tests, and completed questionnaires to assess sleep quality, occupational distress, and mental disorders. The occurrence of syncope, presyncope, and unexplained falls during working life was assessed via an ad hoc interview. The prevalence of syncope, presyncope, and falls of unknown origin was 13.9%, 27.0%, and 10.3%, respectively. The occurrence of syncope was associated with an increased risk of occupational distress (adjusted odds ratio aOR: 1.62, confidence intervals at 95%: 1.05–2.52), low sleep quality (aOR: 1.79 CI 95%: 1.16–2.77), and poor mental health (aOR: 2.43 CI 95%: 1.52–3.87). Presyncope was strongly associated with occupational distress (aOR: 1.77 CI 95%: 1.25–2.49), low sleep quality (aOR: 2.95 CI 95%: 2.08–4.18), and poor mental health (aOR: 2.61 CI 95%: 1.78–3.84), while no significant relationship was found between syncope or presyncope and metabolic syndrome. These results suggest that occupational health promotion interventions aimed at improving sleep quality, reducing stressors, and increasing worker resilience might reduce syncope and presyncope events in the working population.

Keywords: loss of consciousness; mental health; working life; effort reward imbalance; sleep dis-orders; health promotion; workplace (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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