RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Transitioning out of work and metabolic syndrome incidence: a longitudinal study among 13 303 older workers from the Lifelines Cohort Study and Biobank JF Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health JO J Epidemiol Community Health FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 779 OP 785 DO 10.1136/jech-2021-218569 VO 76 IS 9 A1 Katharina Runge A1 Sander K. R. van Zon A1 Ute Bültmann A1 Kène Henkens YR 2022 UL http://jech.bmj.com/content/76/9/779.abstract AB Background This study investigates (1) whether different employment transition types (ie, unemployment, work disability, early retirement and regular retirement) are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) incidence among older workers (50–64 years) and (2) whether occupational group moderates the association between employment transition type and MetS incidence.Methods A sample of 13 303 older Dutch workers from the Lifelines Cohort Study and Biobank was examined using longitudinal data from two comprehensive measurement waves with a mean follow-up time of 3.7 years. MetS components were based on physical measures, blood markers and medication use. Employment transitions were determined using questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between employment transition type and MetS incidence.Results Older workers who transitioned from employment to unemployment (adjusted OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.82) or work disability (adjusted OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.10) had a significantly higher MetS incidence than the working control group. No association between early retirement or regular retirement with MetS incidence was found after adjusting for sociodemographic, educational and occupational factors. Occupational group did not moderate the association between employment transition type and MetS incidence.Conclusion The results suggest that older workers who transition from employment to unemployment or work disability are at risk for developing MetS. More awareness among occupational physicians and general practitioners about MetS incidence in late working life is needed in general and more specific among older workers who transition into unemployment or work disability.Data are available on reasonable request. Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. Researchers can apply for the data and biomaterial through a proposal that is submitted to the Lifelines research office (research@lifelines.nl).