Prevalence and predictors of diabetes and cardiometabolic risk among construction workers in Ireland: The Construction Workers Health Trust screening study. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thabit, Hood; Burns, Nicole; Shah, Shabahat; Brema, Imad; Crowley, Vivion; Finnegan, Fran; Daly, Brian; Nolan, John J
• Is Part Of: Diabetes & vascular disease research. Volume 10:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 337
• Page End: 345
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: Construction workers -- diabetes -- metabolic syndrome -- physical activity -- diabetes risk score; Diabetic angiopathies -- Periodicals; 616.462005
• DOI: 10.1177/1479164113479808
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-1641

Abstract

Construction workers (CW) are at increased risk for a range of chronic diseases. We screened 983 CW for diabetes and cardiometabolic risk. The age range was 18–64 years, with mean age of 36.3 years. Self-reported questionnaires, Finnish diabetes risk score and fasting blood tests were collected at the workplace. The unadjusted prevalence of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus were 3.6% and 1.2%, respectively; 21% of CW had the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The majority were either overweight (48.3%) or obese (21.8%). In a regression model, age remained the strongest predictor of fasting glucose ( p < 0.001). Pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with presence of the MetS [odds ratio (OR) 5.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8–11.5, p < 0.001 and OR 5.5; 95% CI: 1.6–18.7, p = 0.006, respectively]. Subjects engaged in greater physical activity outside of work had lower body mass index (26.9 vs. 28.8 kg/m 2, p = 0.03), waist circumference (95.8 vs. 98.1 cm, p = 0.03) and fasting serum triglycerides (1.1 vs. 1.4 mmol/L, p = 0.03) compared to those who were sedentary. Despite their youth and a physically demanding occupation, CW are at risk of cardiometabolic diseases. This risk increases with age and the MetS. Screening tools may be useful to identify those who are at risk.