Diabetes
Psychosocial Stressors at Work and Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Women and men: 18-Year Prospective Cohort Study of Combined Exposures Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud* Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud Mylene Miamdjo Alain Milot Denis Talbot Chantal Brisson Mahée Gilbert-Ouimet Xavier Trudel
Context:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly prevalent globally, influenced by traditional risk factors like obesity, hypertension, as well as psychosocial stressors at work (PSW), such as job strain and effort-reward imbalance (ERI).
Methods:
This study analyzed data from 5,915 white-collar workers in the Prospective Quebec (PROQ) cohort, all free of T2DM at baseline and followed for 18 years. Job strain and ERI were measured using validated tools, and T2DM cases were identified via medico-administrative records. Cox proportional hazards models assessed the relationship between PSW and T2DM, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors.
Results:
During the follow-up, 526 new T2DM cases were recorded. ERI was linked to a 30% increased risk of T2DM (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.07–1.57), while combined exposure to high job strain and ERI raised the risk by 33% (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.00–1.73). These associations remained significant after adjusting for traditional risk factors.
Conclusion:
ERI separately and in combination with high job strain exposures significantly contribute to T2DM risk. Reducing PSW through workplace interventions could offer substantial public health benefits, improving outcomes beyond T2DM prevention by addressing related health issues.