Purpose: Early detection of individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease may be promote by screening procedures in the working setting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term effect of an active participation to a screening program of cardiovascular disease (including exercise prescription) in a working setting focused on cardio-metabolic risk factors level, whose results have been compared with those of a a sample of cross-matched general population.
Methods: Subjects working in the Ferrari car factory (Maranello, Italy) entering a cardiovascular screening program were examined yearly over a period of 4 years. The screening was associated to an intervention on the measured risk factors, based on a nutritional/cardiovascular counseling and on a physical fitness program (2-3 times/week gym frequency). The results in terms of trend of the risk factors levels were compared to those of a very similar population sample from the same region, derived from the historical cohort of the Brisighella Heart Study, matched for age, sex, lipid level and blood pressure values.
Results: The 168 Ferrari workers (148 men, 20 women) participating in the Project showed a significant reduction (after the follow-up period) in Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) (p= 0.003), Total Cholesterol (TC) (p<0.001), LDL Cholesterol (p<0.001), Non HDL Cholesterol (p<0.001), Triglycerides (p= 0.004), Systolic (p<0.001), Diastolic (p<0.001), Pulse (p<0.001) and Mean Blood Pressure (p<0.001), with no change in BMI and HDL. On the contrary in the general population sample FPG, TC, LDL Cholesterol, non HDL Cholesterol, Systolic and Diastolic BP mildly but significantly increased. When compared to the general population sample, TC, LDL Cholesterol, non HDL Cholesterol and BP significantly improved in the participants to the Ferrari Project (all, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The participation in a long-term screening project in a working setting (including a physical fitness program) is associated to a significant improvement of a large number of cardio-metabolic parameters, compared to age- and sex- matched subjects
