The Relationship between Workplace Environment and Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, is recognized as an important health problem.

OBJECTIVE: To investigated whether the workplace environment was associated with metabolic syndrome.

METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study using medical records and workplace environment reports of 1297 blue-collar Korean male workers who exposed to work hazards in one workplace. The metabolic syndrome was confirmed using the NCEP ATP III. The workplace environment was classified into organic compounds, metals, acids and bases, metalworking fluid, dust, noise and shift worker.

RESULTS: Among the total subjects, 257 (19.8%) had metabolic syndrome. Age, BMI, current smoking status, and at risk alcohol drinking were found to be significant predictors of metabolic syndrome. In seven workplace environment categories, the odds ratio (OR) of metabolic syndrome increased 1.785 (95% CI 1.058 to 3.013) times in the metalworking fluid environment.

CONCLUSION: The workplace environment, especially metalworking fluid is associated with metabolic syndrome.