Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and hyperlipidemia modified by perceived work stress

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence has shown that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) However, few studies have assessed both exposure to ETS and high-perceived work stress on hyperlipidemia. The aim of the present study is to assess the interaction effect of ETS exposure and high-perceived work stress on the risk of hyperlipidemia. METHODS: A total of 11,875 middle-aged civil servants from 647 registered institutions employed by the Taiwan government were randomly selected using multistage stratified cluster sampling based on proportional probabilistic sampling. Each participant anonymously and independently filled out a web-based questionnaire and informed consent. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperlipidemia in middle-aged civil servants diagnosed by physicians was 11.5% for men and 6.1% for women. Hyperlipidemia was significantly associated with smoking, alcohol consumption, betel nut chewing, weight gain and perceived work stress. In both the obesity and smoking groups, there were consistent interaction effects of ETS exposure and perceived work stress on hyperlipidemia for middle-aged civil servants. Non-obese and non-smoking groups were more at risk for hyperlipidemia from exposure to both ETS and high-perceived work stress. CONCLUSION: There is an interaction effect of ETS exposure and high-perceived work stress on hyperlipidemia, regardless of obesity and smoking. It is crucial to immediately reduce ETS exposure and stressful work by enforcing smoke-free policies and reducing pressure for civil servants.