Work-related stress and incident asthma and rhinitis: results from the SOLAR study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Felix Forster - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Center for Lung Research (DZL) - Partner site Munich (Author)
  • Tobias Weinmann - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Center for Lung Research (DZL) - Partner site Munich, Munich Center of Health Sciences (MC-Health) (Author)
  • Jessica Gerlich - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Center for Lung Research (DZL) - Partner site Munich, Munich Center of Health Sciences (MC-Health) (Author)
  • Wolff Schlotz - , Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (Author)
  • Gudrun Weinmayr - , Ulm University (Author)
  • Jon Genuneit - , Ulm University (Author)
  • Doris Windstetter - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Center for Lung Research (DZL) - Partner site Munich (Author)
  • Christian Vogelberg - , Department of Paediatrics, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Erika von Mutius - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Center for Lung Research (DZL) - Partner site Munich (Author)
  • Dennis Nowak - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Center for Lung Research (DZL) - Partner site Munich (Author)
  • Katja Radon - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Center for Lung Research (DZL) - Partner site Munich, Munich Center of Health Sciences (MC-Health) (Author)

Abstract

Objectives: This study analyzes the association of work-related stress with incident asthma and rhinitis in young adults with a special focus on gender-specific differences. Methods: Incident asthma, wheezing and rhinitis were measured in a cohort of 2051 young German adults (aged 16–18 years at baseline) recruited by the prospective population-based SOLAR study (Study of Occupational Allergy Risks). Work-related stress was measured by the Trier Inventory for the Assessment of Chronic Stress (TICS). Two TICS scales, work overload and work discontent, were analysed. Logistic regression was conducted to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: In females, the odds for incident asthma were found to be 17% higher for each increase of the work discontent score by one point (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04–1.31). In males, no association was statistically significant. Incident rhinitis showed no association with any exposure variable. Conclusion: This study shows a link between work-related stress and incident asthma which seems to be confined to women. This study adds evidence about the association of work-related stress and asthma in young adults and can contribute to prevention for that particular age group.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)673-681
Number of pages9
JournalInternational archives of occupational and environmental health
Volume92
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2019
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 30656403

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Incident asthma, Incident rhinitis, Work-related stress, Young adults