[Identification of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with occupational diseases]

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to study the hospitalized morbidity for cardiovascular diseases in connection with risk factors in a clinic of occupational diseases from Rehabilitation University Hospital, Iaşi, Romania.

Material and methods: The survey represents a descriptive analysis of 2003-2007 data regarding the 1771 first admitted and new diagnosed inpatients. The association between risk factors and cardiovascular diseases was assessed using odds ratio (point estimate and 95% confidence interval).

Results: Blood hypertension has been diagnosed in 9.20 cases per 100 inpatients and ischemic heart disease in 1.98 cases per 100 inpatients. The prevalence increased with age for both diseases. One in five cases was smoker and had vascular family records. In blood hypertension the odds ratio revealed an increased risk with the exposure for following factors: male gender, smoker status, vascular family records, obesity assessed through body mass index > 30 kg/m2, age > 45 years in male, age > 55 years in female (p < 0.05). The ischemic heart disease was significant associated only with family records and age > 55 years in female. Most of these cases diagnosed in the occupational diseases clinic represent active workforce (47.96 +/- 8.82 years).

Conclusion: Early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases in connection with risk factors may prevent a premature death, affecting workforce, with medical and socio-economical consequences. Cooperation between general practitioner-occupational diseases specialist-cardiologist may improve the efficiency of prevention programs.