Work stress and metabolic and hemostatic risk factors

A high level of work stress has been associated with cardiovascular disease. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study examined the effect of work stress on a cluster of metabolic and hemostatic risk factors. Blood was collected three times, on the first, third, and fifth day of a work week, from 124 middle-aged, white-collar workers. Metabolic measures were insulin, glucose, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol. Hemostatic measures were fibrinogen, tissue-type plasminogen activator activity, tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen, and type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen. Chronic work stress was defined according to Siegrist's model as 1) a combination of high effort and low reward at work (effort-reward imbalance) or 2) high overcommitment (an exhaustive work-related coping style). Overcommitment, but not imbalance or the imbalance-overcommitment interaction, was associated with an impaired fibrinolytic system, as reflected in decreased tissue-type plasminogen activator activity levels and increased type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen levels on all three measurement occasions. After controlling for body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, glucose, and insulin, the relation between overcom-mitment and the fibrinolytic factors was attenuated but remained significant. The results suggest that individuals with an exhaustive coping style at work have an impaired fibrinolytic capacity that is possibly due to the effects of chronic stress on insulin resistanc

Effects of work stress on ambulatory blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability

Work stress has repeatedly been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This study tested whether this relationship could be explained by exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to work or impaired recovery in leisure time. Vagal tone was assessed as a possible determinant of these work stress effects. Participants included 109 male white-collar workers (age, 47.2+/-5. 3) who were monitored on 2 workdays and 1 nonworkday for ambulatory blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability. Chronic work stress was defined according to Siegrist's model as (1) high imbalance, a combination of high effort and low reward at work, or (2) high overcommitment, an exhaustive work-related coping style indexing the inability to unwind. All findings were adjusted for possible differences in posture and physical activity between the work stress groups. High imbalance was associated with a higher heart rate during work and directly after work, a higher systolic blood pressure during work and leisure time, and a lower 24-hour vagal tone on all 3 measurement days. Overcommitment was not associated with an unfavorable ambulatory profile. Logistic regression analysis revealed that heart rate [odds ratio 1-SD increase 1.95 (95% CI, 1.02 to 3.77)] and vagal tone [odds ratio 1-SD decrease 2.67 (95% CI, 1.24 to 5.75)] were independently associated with incident mild hypertension. Surprisingly, the values during sleep were more predictive for mild hypertension than the values during work. The results from the present study suggest that the detrimental effects of work stress are partly mediated by increased heart rate reactivity to a stressful workday, an increase in systolic blood pressure level, and lower vagal ton

Maternal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status during early pregnancy:Association with child behavioral problems and the role of autonomic nervous system activity

Background & aims: The prenatal environment, including availability of critical nutrients, has a profound impact on offspring development. The present study examined the association between maternal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) status during pregnancy and later child behavioral problems at the age of 5–6 years. In light of evidence of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation in some behavioral problems, study further tested if the above association is statistically mediated by cardiac ANS activity. Methods: Data was collected as part of the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development-study and complete data were available for 1717 mothers and their offspring. Maternal LC-PUFA status was assessed during early pregnancy (mean gestation = 12.7, SD = 2.5 weeks) and quantified as levels of docosahexenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as well as the ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids. Child emotional problems and peer problems (internalizing problems), as well as conduct problems and inattention/hyperactivity (externalizing problems), were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire as rated by the mother and teacher at 5–6 years. Child cardiac respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), pre-ejection period (PEP), and heart rate (HR) were utilized as measures of ANS activity at 5–6 years. Results: The results confirmed an association between maternal LC-PUFA status and internalizing behavioral problems as rated by the mother, as shown for DHA (β = −0.11;p < 0.01), EPA (β = -0.22;p < 0.05), and n-6:n-3 LC-PUFA (β = 0.17;p < 0.01). Statistical mediation was only demonstrated for HR. No associations were observed between LC-PUFA status and externalizing behavioral problems. Conclusions: The present results are consistent with a role of maternal LC-PUFA status in internalizing behavioral problems as rated by the mother. These results were not observed when problem behavior was rated by the teacher. Analyses did not yield strong evidence supporting ANS activity as a possible mediator in this relationship

Socioeconomic inequalities in lipid and glucose metabolism in early childhood in a population-based cohort: the ABCD-Study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular disease are pervasive, yet much remains to be understood about how they originate. The objective of this study was to explore the relations of socioeconomic status to lipid and glucose metabolism as indicators of cardiovascular health in 5–6 year olds. Additionally to explore the explanatory role of maternal factors, birth outcome, and child factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 1308 5–6 year old ethnic Dutch children from the ABCD cohort study, lipids (cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides), glucose and C-peptide were measured after an overnight-fast.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no differences in cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides between socioeconomic groups, as indicated by maternal education and income adequacy. However, children of low educated mothers had on average a higher glucose (<it>β</it> = 0.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03 – 0.27), logC-peptide (<it>β</it> = 0.07; 95% CI 0.04 – 0.09), and calculated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (<it>β</it> = 0.15; 95% CI 0.08 – 0.22) compared to children of high educated mothers. Only childhood BMI partly explained these differences (models controlled for age, height, and sex).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The socioeconomic gradient in cardiovascular risk factors seems to emerge in early childhood. In absence of underlying mechanisms these empirical findings are relevant for public health care and further explanatory research.</p

Associations between autonomic nervous system activity and risk-taking and internalizing behavior in young adolescents

Dysregulated autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity has been associated with adolescent risk-taking and internalizing behavior, but previous results in community samples have been mixed. We investigated whether ANS activity was associated with higher risk-taking and internalizing behavior in young adolescents (age 11/12; n = 875), and whether adolescents' gender, parents' parenting style or a combination of both moderated these associations. Adolescents and their parents were recruited as part of the population-based, longitudinal Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study. Risk-taking behavior was assessed with the Balloon Analogue Risk Task and the personality characteristics sensation seeking and impulsivity, measured with the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS). Internalizing behavior was assessed via the SURPS subscales anxiety sensitivity and hopelessness. Authoritative (AUTH-SW) and authoritarian (AUTH-S) parenting styles were measured with the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire. Resting ANS activity was assessed via heart rate and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Hierarchical, multivariable regression analyses showed higher RSA, but not heart rate, being associated with higher risk-taking behavior and sensation seeking. The associations between ANS activity and risk-taking variables were not significantly moderated by gender, parenting, or interactions between gender and parenting. Our findings suggest that RSA activity may be a relevant factor in mild to moderate risk-taking behavior in adolescents from the general population, regardless of their gender or the type of parenting they experience

Association between body size and blood pressure in children from different ethnic origins

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To assess associations between body size and blood pressure in children (5-6 years) from different ethnic origins.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Five ethnic groups of the ABCD cohort were examined: Dutch (n=1 923), Turkish (n=99), Moroccan (n=187), Black-African (n=67) and Black-Caribbean (n=121). Data on body-mass-index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fat-mass-index (FMI), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), were collected. Linear regression analysis with restricted cubic splines was used to examine non-linear associations between body size and blood pressure, adjusted for age, sex, height and birth weight.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ethnic differences were found in associations of BMI with SBP and DBP (SBP: p=0.001 and DBP: p=0.01) and FMI with SBP (p=0.03). BMI and FMI had a relatively large positive association with SBP in Turkish children (BMI: β=2.46mmHg; 95%CI:1.20-3.72; FMI: β=2.41mmHg; 95%CI:1.09-3.73) compared to Dutch (BMI: β=1.31mmHg; 95%CI:0.71-1.92; FMI: β=0.84mmHg; 95%CI:0.23-1.45). Black-Caribbean and Moroccan children showed high blood pressure with low BMI and FMI. Moroccan children showed higher SBP with high BMI and FMI. WHtR was positively associated with SBP and DBP, similar in all ethnic groups. Generally, strongest associations with blood pressure were found for BMI in all ethnic groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Ethnic-specific associations between BMI, and FMI and blood pressure are present at young age, with Turkish children showing the highest increase in blood pressure with increasing body size. The higher blood pressure in the Black-Caribbean and Moroccan children with low BMI needs further research. WHtR or FMI do not seem to be associated more strongly to blood pressure than BMI in any ethnic group.</p