The prevalence and mortality rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have increased among Koreans over the past 20 years. To manage and control this disease, various CVD risk assessment tools such as KOSHA (Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agent) CVD risk assessment, the presence of metabolic syndrome and the Framingham risk score (FRS) have been developed and applied to employees at the workplace. This study was designed to compare the validity of the CVD risk assessment tools mentioned above with the findings of coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

The subjects of this study who were 490 male-workers aged between 31 and 70, and these subjects were selected among those who had visited a University Hospital for a general health examination and who underwent CCTA from January 2007 to June 2009. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were used to compare and analyze the associations between the CVD risk assessment tools and the coronary artery changes such as calcification and stenosis.

Metabolic syndrome (OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.23-2.95) and the Framingham risk score (OR=2.71, 95% CI 1.83-4.01) were the significant and meaningful predictors of coronary artery calcification. On the analysis of the association with coronary artery stenosis, only the Framingham risk score (OR=2.21, 95% CI 1.46-3.36) turned out to be a significant and meaningful predictor.

The results suggest that the Framingham risk score is a relatively valid CVD risk assessment tool. Henceforth, to effectively manage cardiovascular diseases in the workplace, advanced tools and indicators for management should be considered and provided based on meaningful study results.