Association between occupation and metabolic syndrome in Korean population: data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES)

Yoon, Hyung-suk

Introduction
There are many researches to evaluate relationship between occupation and metabolic syndrome. However, the association between occupational risks on Metabolic syndrome (MS) is still questioned. The aim of this study was investigate the role of occupation in the etiology of MS among general population in Korea.

Methods
We selected the fourth KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) database which was collected for 24,871 subjects between 2007 and 2009. Total 9,726 subjects with information on occupation status, BMI, and clinical measurements were included in final analysis. Occupation was defined by Korean standard classification of occupations. Definition of MS was followed by NCEP-ATP ?. Risk of MS was estimated as odds ratio and 95% confidence interval using logistic regression model adjusted for age, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption and physical activity. Occupation was divided white collar (Managers; Professionals and Related; Clerks) and Blue collar (Service; Sales; Skilled Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery; Craft and Related Trades; Equipment, Machine Operating and Assembling; Elementary Workers).

Results
White collar workers had significantly higher risk of MS than blue collar workers (OR=1.4, [95% CI 1.1-1.8]) among male subjects. In the specific occupation, clerks had 2.5 fold (95% CI: 1.6-4.1), managers revealed 2.3 fold (1.4-3.8) and service workers showed 2.3 fold (1.3-4.0) increased risk of MS compared to elementary workers. In female subjects, no association was observed between occupation and MS (OR=0.9, [95% CI 0.6-1.4]). On the other hand, female subjects did not show any occupational effects on metabolic syndrome.

Discussion
White collar workers had increased risk of MS compared with blue collar workers in male subjects. Moreover, risks of MS varied in the different categories of occupation. In conclusion, our results suggest that occupation effects on MS different from western countries results which were increased risk on blue collar workers. Further study needs to deeply investigating these differences.

A1337 Association between occupation and metabolic syndrome in Korean population: data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES)