Job strain, social support in the workplace, and haemoglobin A1c in Japanese men. Issue 12 (1st December 2000)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kawakami, N; Akachi, K; Shimizu, H; Haratani, T; Kobayashi, F; Ishizaki, M; Hayashi, T; Fujita, O; Aizawa, Y; Miyazaki, S; Hiro, H; Hashimoto, S; Araki, S
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 57:Issue 12(2000)
• Page Start: 805
• Page End: 809
• Publication Date: 2000-12-01
• Subjects: job strain -- social support -- glycosylated haemoglobin -- Japan; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.57.12.805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between job strain (defined in the model of job demands and job control) and social support at the workplace with levels of glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) METHODS: All male employees aged 40–60 in a manufacturing firm, Japan, were invited to take part in the study. A blood sample was taken from the participants and HbA1c (%) was measured. Job strain and social support at the workplace were assessed with the job content questionnaire (JCQ). After excluding those who had a history of diabetes mellitus or other chronic diseases, data from 268 male day workers were analyzed. RESULTS: Age adjusted average concentrations of HbA1c were significantly higher in the highest quartile group of job strain or the lowest quartile group of social support at the workplace (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that job strain was significantly and positively related to HbA1c (p<0.05), whereas social support at the workplace was significantly and negatively related to HbA1c (p<0.05), both after controlling for other covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Greater job strain and lower social support at the workplace may be associated with increased concentrations of HbA1c. Increased blood glucose may be a physiological mediator between job strain or social support at the workplace and coronary heart disease.