Prevalence of Diabetes and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors among US Autoworkers

Background: This study was done in response to a request for proposal from a joint company/union research fund. Aims: To determine the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors among a group of US auto workers in whom, CV disease was thought to be the most common cause of premature mortality and disability, based on insurance data. Methods: Subjects completed a health questionnaire, including a question if they attended the company wellness program. A fasting blood sample was obtained for assay of HbA1c, fasting glucose, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL-c and LDL-c), C reactive protein and homocysteine. Height, weight, Blood pressure and percentage body fat was also determined. Subjects without previously known diabetes underwent a glucose tolerance test. A work related stress index was also calculated for all subjects. Results: 190 subjects were studied. The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes was 15.3%, and45.9% respectively. Total cholesterol,LDL-c, Triglycerides and HDL-c levels were at the desirable levels in 60%, 67.9%, 62.6% and 56.3% subjects respectively. The prevalence of diabetes, smoking, obesity and high LDL-c levels and the subjects who had their blood pressure controlled was higher compared to the US population. Only 47%attended the company wellness program. Conclusions: Despite the better control of blood pressure, the additive effects of other risk factors may explain the increased CV morbidity and mortality in this group. Increased efforts to reduce the CV risk factors may reduce the CV mortality and morbidity found in this population.