Work, sleep, and cholesterol levels of U.S. long-haul truck drivers

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Laurie Wideman, Safrit-Ennis Distinguished Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Long-haul truck drivers in the United States experience elevated cardiovascular health risks,possibly due to hypercholesterolemia. The current study has two objectives: 1) to generate acholesterol profile for U.S. long-haul truck drivers; and 2) to determine the influence of workorganization characteristics and sleep quality and duration on cholesterol levels of long-haultruck drivers. Survey and biometric data were collected from 262 long-haul truck drivers.Descriptive analyses were performed for demographic, work organization, sleep, and cholesterolmeasures. Linear regression and ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted to examinefor possible predictive relationships between demographic, work organization, and sleepvariables, and cholesterol outcomes. The majority (66.4%) of drivers had a low HDL (<40mg/dL), and nearly 42% of drivers had a high-risk total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio.Sleep quality was associated with HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol, and daily work hours wereassociated with LDL cholesterol. Workday sleep duration was associated with non-HDLcholesterol, and driving experience and sleep quality were associated with cholesterol ratio.Long-haul truck drivers have a high risk cholesterol profile, and sleep quality and workorganization factors may induce these cholesterol outcomes. Targeted worksite health promotionprograms are needed to curb these atherosclerotic risks.

Additional Information

Publication
Industrial Health
Language: English
Date: 2017
Keywords
Sleep, Occupational epidemiology, Cardiovascular disorders, Work hours, Shift work

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