Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In order to find determinants on occurrence of hypertension in the adult male workers in an industry, a nested case-control study was performed in Seoul, Korea at the periodic health examination center.
METHODS
A cohort was formed with 1,690 normotensive male workers in 1996 and 1997, who had participated in three consecutive periodic health examinations from 1996 through 1998. Cases were 89 hypertensives in 1998, controls were 356 selected by 1:4 age-matching among 1,601 normotensives in 1998. Baseline health behavior (drinking smoking, exercise), baseline health examination data (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure. hemoglobin, fasting blood sugar, serum total cholesterol), and the changes of data during the study period were compared between case and controls. And multiple logistic regression was performed to find determinants on occurrence of hypertension.
RESULTS
There was significant difference in alcohol consumption amount, baseline weight, DM1, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and hemoglobin level. The main determinants on occurrence of hypertension from multiple logistic regression analysis were baseline systolic blood pressure (OR, 1. 13; 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.18%), 15-21 drinks per week (OR, 4.17; 95 % confidence interval 1.44-12.11), and 22 or more drinks per week (OR, 5.29; 95 % confidence interval 1.50-18.58).
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed the importance of baseline blood pressure level and adequate drinking habit for the management of hypertension.

• Keywords: Determinants;Hypertension;Male workers;Industry