J Korean Med Sci.  2018 Jun;33(25):e187. 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e187.

Job Stress-attributable Burden of Disease in Korea

• Lee K
• Kim I

• KMID: 2413649
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e187

Abstract

BACKGROUND
As job stress is associated with various diseases and psychiatric conditions, we aimed to estimate the job stress-attributable burden of disease in Korea based on the concept of disability-adjusted life years (DALY).
METHODS
We selected ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, major depressive disorder (MDD), and suicide as health outcomes from job stress, because of the ease of access to data estimating burdens and of important meaning of them in Korean occupational background.
RESULTS
Our findings demonstrated that approximately 21% of Korean workers were exposed to high job strain, which was attributable for approximately 6.7% of IHDs, 6.9% of strokes, 13.6% of MDDs, and 4% of suicides. In terms of job stress-attributable DALY, the burdens of disease per 100,000 people were 38 for IHD, 72 for stroke, 168 for MDDs, and 44 for suicides.
CONCLUSION
The present findings suggested that one-fifth of Korean workers were suffering from high job strain. Although the figures may not be accurate due to several assumptions, job stress is an important risk factor for health in working environment in Korea.

Keyword

Job Stress; Ischemic Heart Disease; Stroke; Major Depressive Disorder; Burden of Disease; DALY

MeSH Terms

Depressive Disorder, Major
Korea*
Myocardial Ischemia
Risk Factors
Stroke
Suicide