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Original research
Social inequalities, stressful work and non-fatal cardiovascular disease: follow-up findings from the CONSTANCES Study

Abstract

Background Studies show that a disadvantaged socioeconomic position (SEP) and psychosocial stress at work are both independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). But it is not clear if the effect of stress at work on CVD varies by SEP.

Methods We used baseline and follow-up data from the French population-based cohort study CONSTANCES, including 48 383 employed women and men aged 30–70 years. Three SEP indicators (education, income, occupation), stressful psychosocial work as measured by effort–reward imbalance, pre-existing CVD and confounders were assessed at baseline, and incident non-fatal CVD events reported during annual follow-up (up to five follow-ups) were used as outcomes. The effect modification hypothesis was both investigated on an additive and multiplicative scale.

Results SEP was inversely associated with CVD risk (eg, for low vs high income, OR 1.28 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.46)), and for all three components of stressful work CVD risks were significantly increased (eg, for effort–reward ratio OR 1.26 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.36)). Employees with a disadvantaged SEP showed moderately increased effect sizes of stressful work on CVD. However, no clear evidence of an effect modification was found.

Conclusions Disadvantaged SEP and stressful work contribute to higher CVD risk in this cohort. Despite moderately increased effect sizes for disadvantaged SEP groups, no evidence was found to support an effect modification hypothesis.

  • sociology
  • occupational health
  • occupational stress

Data availability statement

Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. Access to raw data requires the submission of a research project that is examined by the CONSTANCES International Scientific Committee and authorised by the Institutional Steering Committee.

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