To evaluate the relationship of work departments, carotid IMT, and plaque formation as predictors of cardiovascular disease in white-collar and blue-collar workers.

A total of 201 workers from a metal agricultural equipment manufacturing plant near Daegu were administered questionnaires to obtain information on their general characteristics, their work-related factors. In addition, the workers were given a clinical examination, which included a carotid artery ultrasonography. In total, 193 (96.0%) of questionnaires were completed and analyzed for this study. Multiple regression analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed on the data for analysis.

Blue-collar workers had thicker carotid artery IMT when compared to white-collar workers. After adjustment, the carotid IMT was affected by age, working department, hypertension, and diabetes; plaque formation was affected by age, hypertension, total cholesterol, and excessive drinking.

This study suggests that carotid IMT is associated with working department. Therefore, we need to examine the effect that occupational health services has on cardiovascular disease, focusing on the characteristics of each department.