Relationship between job stress and impaired fasting glucose in male steel industry workers: a cross-sectional study

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between job stress and impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) of male workers in a manufacturing industry.

Methods: Data were collected from 5,886 male workers in a manufacturing industry who participated in the medical examination from June 19 to August 14, 2020 through self-reported questionnaires. The general characteristics of the subjects, shift work, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and job stress were included. Job stress was measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) consisting of 8 items and 43 questions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the IFG association with job stress.

Results: Among the various factors that can cause job stress, only high job demand was associated with a risk of IFG (odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.82) especially in non-shift worker. For all other factors, no statistically significant results were obtained.

Conclusions: In this study of male workers engaged in the Korean steel manufacturing industry, the 'job demand' item among job stress of non-shift worker was related to IFG.