Repeated exposure to effort-reward imbalance, increased blood pressure, and hypertension incidence among white-collar workers: effort-reward imbalance and blood pressure

J Psychosom Res. 2012 Jan;72(1):26-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2011.07.002. Epub 2011 Sep 10.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether men and women with repeated ERI exposure have increased BP means or higher hypertension incidence over a 3-year follow-up. To examine the potential modifying effect of age and overcommitment.

Methods: The study cohort was composed of 1,595 white-collar workers (629 men and 966 women) assessed at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Ambulatory BP measures were taken every 15 min during a working day. ERI at work was self-reported using validated scales. BP means at follow-up and cumulative incidence of hypertension were respectively modeled with analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) and log-binomial regression.

Results: Among men, no association was observed between repeated ERI exposure and BP. Among women, age had a modifying effect. Women <45 years old exposed to ERI at both times had significantly higher BP means at follow-up (122.2/78.9 mmHg) than those unexposed (120.4/77.4 mmHg). In women ≥45 years old, the cumulative incidence of hypertension was 2.78 (95% CI: 1.26-6.10) times higher among those exposed to ERI at both times. Men and women in the higher tertile of overcommitment had higher BP means (men: 128.9/82.2 mmHg, women: 121.9/78.0 mmHg) than those in the lower tertile (men: 127.2/81.3 mmHg, women: 120.6/77.0 mmHg).

Conclusion: This prospective study showed that, among women, repeated ERI exposure led to a significant age-specific increase in BP means and a major age-specific increase in hypertension incidence. These results suggest that primary intervention aimed at reducing ERI may contribute to lower BP and prevent hypertension in women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Feedback, Psychological / physiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Hypertension / epidemiology*
  • Hypertension / psychology
  • Incidence
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reward
  • Sex Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Workload*
  • Workplace / psychology*