The objective of this paper is to study the association occupation-cardiovascular diseases in a clinic of occupational diseases from Rehabilitation University Hospital, Iaşi, Romania.
Material and methods: The survey represents a descriptive analysis of 2003-2007 data regarding the 1771 first admitted and new diagnosed patients. The association between occupation and cardiovascular diseases was assessed using odds ratio (point estimate and 95% confidence interval).
Results: A special attention must be paid for smoking reduction among miners (specific prevalence 67.86 per 100 patients) and for overweight in administrative staff (54.32 cases with body mass index >30 kg/m2 per 100 inpatients). The most significant and strong association between occupational status--cardiovascular diseases has been recorded in administrative staff (ischaemic heart--odds ratio = 12.47; hypertensive heart disease--odds ratio =2.49) and in civil engineering (ischaemic heart disease- odds ratio = 3.12; hypertensive heart disease--odds ratio = 1.81).
Conclusions: Activities in cardiovascular disease prevention should focus on those occupational sectors where cardiovascular risks are most prevalent. Early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases in connection with risk factors may prevent a premature death, affecting workforce, with medical and socio-economical consequences. Cooperation between general practitioner-occupational diseases specialist-cardiologist may improve the efficiency of prevention programs.