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Association of Suboptimal Health Status and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Urban Chinese Workers

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Abstract

Suboptimal health status (SHS) has become a new public health challenge in urban China. Despite indications that SHS may be associated with progression or development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, there are few reports on SHS investigations. To explore the relationship between SHS and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 4,881 workers employed in 21 companies in urban Beijing. Blood pressure, glucose, lipid levels (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol and triglycerides), cortisol, and body mass index were measured. SHS score was derived from data collection in the SHS questionnaire (SHSQ-25). Univariate analysis and linear two-level model were used to analyze the association of SHS with the cardiovascular risk factors. Serum cortisol level was much higher among the SHS high-score group than that among the low SHS score group (204.31 versus 161.33 ng/ml, P < 0.001). In a linear two-level model, we found correlation between SHS and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol among men, and correlation between SHS and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol among women after controlling for age, education background, occupation, smoking, and physical activity. SHS is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. SHS should be recognized in the health care system, especially in primary care.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National High Technology Research and Development Grant (863 Program; 2006AA02Z434), the National Science Foundation (81102208), the National Science and Technology Support Program (2012BAI37B03), the Beijing Municipal Project for Developing Advanced Human Resources (20081D0501800211), and the Capital Medical University Grant (10JL16).

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Correspondence to Wei Wang.

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Yan, Y.X., Dong, J., Liu, Y.Q. et al. Association of Suboptimal Health Status and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Urban Chinese Workers. J Urban Health 89, 329–338 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-011-9636-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-011-9636-8

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