ORIGINAL PAPER
Evaluation of selected risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes as a background for the prevention program in occupational healthcare
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1
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health)
2
Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
(Chair and Department of Cardiology)
Online publication date: 2021-01-18
Corresponding author
Agnieszka Lipińska-Ojrzanowska
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health,
św. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łódź, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(3):403-13
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders constitute major health problems in the working populations in Europe. The aim of this project
was to evaluate the health condition of workers employed in a Polish research and medical institution, and then to establish the necessary preventive
actions by creating a modern model of occupational healthcare integrated with civilization disease (CivD) prevention. Material and Methods: Overall, 100 workers voluntarily participated in a health program for CivD prevention during mandatory prophylactic examinations. Data from these
examinations was collected in a system of electronic documentation to enable the analysis of the workers’ health condition and risk factors of CivDs. Results: Women accounted for 72% of the employees who voluntarily participated in the prevention program, and 80% of the subjects had university
education. As regards the health condition, 27% of the patients had elevated systolic, and 23% diastolic, blood pressure, and 21% had an abnormal
fasting glucose level. Stressful job was an important factor correlated with an excessive body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, as well as total and
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Smoking, sedentary work and a lack of physical activity were significant factors for abdominal obesity. Generally,
94% of the program participants required some further interventions in lifestyle, diagnostics or treatment. Conclusions: Civilization disease
prevention should focus on increasing physical activity both in leisure time and at the workplace as far as practicable. There is a need for implementing
projects leading to occupational stress reduction and smoking cessation. Men as well as workers with vocational and elementary education need to be
recruited for prevention programs dedicated to employees. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(3):403–13