ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION PREDICTORS AND OCCUPATION

Abstract

Aim. To analyse the association between occupation and the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) or AH risk factors in a working-age population. Material and methods. The study included 3664 working residents of Kemerovo Region, representing 18 occupational groups. AH risk factors included gender, age, body mass index (BMI), education, marital status, smoking, and hazardous alcohol consumption. Decision tree models were used as a method of classification and prognosis. Results. In decision tree models, assessed predictors correctly confirmed the diagnosis of AH or its absence in 75,2% participants. The most important predictors were BMI, age, and occupation (100, 83, and 63 units, respectively). Occupation also influenced the prognostic value of other predictors. Conclusion. Occupation should be regarded not only as an important predictor of AH, but also as an effect modifier for other predictors, such as age, BMI, or marital status. This should be taken into account when performing the complex assessment of AH risk across working population groups.

Keywords

• arterial hypertension
• occupation
• risk factors
• prognostic methods