Work stress, sleep deficiency, and predicted 10-year cardiometabolic risk in a female patient care worker population

Am J Ind Med. 2014 Aug;57(8):940-9. doi: 10.1002/ajim.22340. Epub 2014 May 8.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal effect of work-related stress, sleep deficiency, and physical activity on 10-year cardiometabolic risk among an all-female worker population.

Methods: Data on patient care workers (n=99) was collected 2 years apart. Baseline measures included: job stress, physical activity, night work, and sleep deficiency. Biomarkers and objective measurements were used to estimate 10-year cardiometabolic risk at follow-up. Significant associations (P<0.05) from baseline analyses were used to build a multivariable linear regression model.

Results: The participants were mostly white nurses with a mean age of 41 years. Adjusted linear regression showed that having sleep maintenance problems, a different occupation than nurse, and/or not exercising at recommended levels at baseline increased the 10-year cardiometabolic risk at follow-up.

Conclusions: In female workers prone to work-related stress and sleep deficiency, maintaining sleep and exercise patterns had a strong impact on modifiable 10-year cardiometabolic risk.

Keywords: cardiometabolic risk; follow-up; nurses; physical activity; sleep maintenance; work-family conflict.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology
  • Occupational Health
  • Occupations*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / complications
  • Stress, Psychological / complications
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work Schedule Tolerance
  • Workplace / psychology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • hemoglobin A1c protein, human