Socioeconomic status, workplace characteristics and plasma fibrinogen level of Japanese male employees

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the relationships between workplace characteristics and plasma fibrinogen level and assessed the possibility of socioeconomic differences in plasma fibrinogen level being accounted for by workplace characteristics.

Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire data from 4343 Japanese male employees were examined with Karasek's demand-control model, as was sedentary job and overtime work.

Results: Less overtime work, a less sedentary job, and to a less extent, lower job control and low worksite support were related to increased plasma fibrinogen levels. Adjusting for employment grade strongly attenuated or eliminated these relationships. The association of job demands or job strain with plasma fibrinogen level was weak. High plasma fibrinogen in lower socioeconomic groups remained largely unchanged after adjustment for workplace characteristics.

Conclusions: Workplace characteristics are not significantly related to the plasma fibrinogen levels of male Japanese employees after adjustment for socioeconomic status, and they do not explain socioeconomic differences in plasma fibrinogen levels among these employees.