Is high job strain associated with hypertension genesis?

Background: The aim of this analysis was to test, in a large sample of normotensive subjects, the short-term influence of job strain on the onset of hypertension. Methods: According to the questionnaire of Karasek et al, job strain was divided into four modalities: (high strain, low strain, passive, and active) based on job demand (eg, the need to work hard and quickly) and job latitude (eg, control over skill use, time allocation, and organizational decisions) scores. High strain (HS) was defined by a high demand and a low job decision latitude. Individual data obtained in 926 (age 41 +/- 6 years) healthy normotensive or newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects were analyzed. Subjects participated in two prospective work site surveys designed to assess the influence of job strain on hypertension development. Relationships between job strain modalities and work site blood pressure (BP) levels were assessed using a general linear model. A complementary analysis using the the Pearson Phi coefficient (Z analysis) was implemented to explore nonlinear or scattered relationships between job strain and onset of hypertension. Results: Systolic BP (SBP) was linearly related significantly to BMI and alcohol consumption, whereas diastolic BP (DBP) was related to age. The linear model did not find any relationship between SBP or DBP and job strain modalities. Using the Z analysis, development of systolic hypertension (SBP > 140 mm Hg) was significantly associated with high job strain (P < .001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that there is no global relationship between job strain and BP levels. However our methodology revealed a significant association between job strain and work site BP in a predominantly male subgroup of newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects exposed to high job strain. Am J Hypertens 2006;19: 694-700 (c) 2006 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.