Incidence comparison by workers' general health examination period and participation: Retrospective cohort study using nationwide data

Abstract

Background This study compared the incidence of the cardio-cerebrovascular disease by workers' general health examination period and participation

Methods A retrospective cohort of the health examination participants in 2006 (baseline year: N = 6,527,045) was used. We identified newly occurring cardio-cerebrovascular disease over 7 years (from 2007 to 2013). After stratification by age, sex, and national health insurance type, we identified 7 years cumulative incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease by workers' general health examination participation and estimated its relative risk by health examination period and participation

Results The group participated all the given health examination presented a lower cumulative incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease than the control group

this result was consistent across sex, working age (40s and 50s), and workplace policyholder. Relative risk of cardio-cerebrovascular disease by health examination period (1 and 2 years) showed statistically significant results in ischemic heart disease for male participants. Of men in their 40s, office workers (over a 2-year period) presented statistically higher relative risk of ischemic heart disease than non-office workers (over a 1-year period: 1.03

95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.03). However, there were no consistent results in ischemic cerebrovascular disease and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease for men or cardio-cerebrovascular disease for women

Conclusion A 1-year period of Workers General Health Examinations in non-office workers had a lower incidence on ischemic heart disease than a 2-year period in office workers among working age (40s–50s) men. It is, however, necessary to consider that prevention of cardio-cerebrovascular disease can be partially explained by their occupational characteristics rather than by health examination period