Metabolic syndrome and the 10-year cardiovascular disease risk in urban public transport drivers in the context of occupational risks and workloads

Abstract

The specific risks and workloads of urban public transport drivers create a net for the development of several health issues. It is worth mentioning the impact of the work regime on this type of workers’ metabolic and cardiovascular health. This paper represents a sequence from an ample study that has followed the effects of this professional activity on worker’s health and work capacity and has established prevention / reduction of identified risk factors measures. The health state analysis was realized through a prevalence study on three cohorts (bus, tram, trolleybus drivers). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was the highest in the group of the bus drivers, 16.7%. The 10-year fatal cardiovascular disease risk in both the increased risk category and very increased risk category was the highest in the trolleybus drivers’ cohort, 29%, respectively 6%. Major contributing pathology, such as hypertension and type II diabetes, starts in the 36-45 years of age group regardless of gender in all three cohorts signalizing an early wear and is already important in the 46-55 years of age group.