The Impact of Working Hours on Cardiovascular Diseases and Moderating Effects of Sex and Type of Work Results From a Longitudinal Analysis of the Korean Working Population

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) caused by working hours in the South Korean working population stratified by sex and type of work. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging in 2006. The risk of CVD associated with working hours was estimated using Cox regression analysis. In addition, the analysis was conducted by stratifying the sample by sex and type of work (wage work and self-employment). Results: After adjusting for all covariates, subjects in long working hours (>= 50 h/wk) groups showed increased risk of CVD. After sex and type of work stratification, only women and wageworkers showed significantly increased risk of CVD associated with long working hours. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that increased risk of CVD was associated with long working hours, especially in women and wageworkers.