The risk of hypertension over 16 years and family- and job-related stress in female population aged 25–64 years in Russia/Siberia

Objective. To determine the effect of family and job stress on hazard ratio risk (HR) of hypertension (HTN) in female population aged 25–64 years over 16 years. Design and methods. Within the framework of the WHO “MONICA-psychosocial”, in 1994, we examined a random representative sample of women aged 25–64 years (n = 870, mean age 45,0 ± 0,4 years) who were residents of one of the districts in Novosibirsk. Response was 72,5%. Job-related stress was assessed using the Karasek scale, family-related stress was evaluated by the scale “Awareness and attitude towards the health”. Altogether 560 women were included in analysis. Those with diagnosed cardiovascular disease (HTN, ischemic heart disease, stroke) and diabetes mellitus were excluded. Over the 16‑years (1994–2010 years) all cases of new-onset HTN were registered in the cohort. Cox-proportional regression model (Cox-regression) was used for the assessment of incidence HR based on a different time slot. Results. The prevalence of family- and job-related stress levels in female population aged 25–64 years were 20,9% and 31,6%, respectively. High stress levels are associated with low self-rated health, with a high frequency of complaints, lack of awareness about prevention methods. Despite higher prevalence of job-related stress the HR of HTN was 1,39‑fold higher in women with family-related stress over 16 years. The job-related stress led to a significant 1,28‑time fold increase in HR of HTN. The incidence of HTN was higher in married women experiencing stress in the family and at work, with higher levels of education, in category “executives” and “physical labor”. Conclusions. There is a high prevalence of family- and job-related stress levels in female population aged 25–64 years, and job-related stress is predominant. At the same time the HR of HTN is higher in women with family-related stress compared to those with job-related stress.

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