Job strain and risk of stroke: Is current research conclusive?
RenzoBianchi, Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Neuchatelrenzo.bianchi@unine.ch
Submitted October 23, 2015
In a recent meta-analysis, Huang et al. examined the association between job strain and risk of incident stroke. [1] Based on six prospective cohort studies comprising of 138,782 participants, the authors concluded that exposure to high strain jobs was associated with an increased risk of stroke, especially in women.
In my estimation, current research on job strain and risk of stroke is undermined by a major methodological problem: The lack of consideration of job-unrelated strain in the conducted studies. In order to specifically ascribe increased risk of stroke to job strain, controlling for non-occupational strain factors (e.g. stress related to family or couple life) is a key requirement. Without this precaution, the variance in stroke that can be imputed to job strain remains unclear. Judging from Table 1, none of the studies included in the meta-analysis adjusted for job-unrelated strain factors.
This state of affairs suggests that current research on job strain and risk of stroke is biased in its conclusions and probably overestimates the importance of the link between job strain and risk of stroke. Integrative studies taking into account the multiple strains experienced by an individual in his/her life are urgently needed in this research field.
1. Huang Y, Xu S, Hua J, et al. Association between job strain and risk of incident stroke: a meta-analysis. Neurology Epub 2015 Oct 14.
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.
In a recent meta-analysis, Huang et al. examined the association between job strain and risk of incident stroke. [1] Based on six prospective cohort studies comprising of 138,782 participants, the authors concluded that exposure to high strain jobs was associated with an increased risk of stroke, especially in women.
In my estimation, current research on job strain and risk of stroke is undermined by a major methodological problem: The lack of consideration of job-unrelated strain in the conducted studies. In order to specifically ascribe increased risk of stroke to job strain, controlling for non-occupational strain factors (e.g. stress related to family or couple life) is a key requirement. Without this precaution, the variance in stroke that can be imputed to job strain remains unclear. Judging from Table 1, none of the studies included in the meta-analysis adjusted for job-unrelated strain factors.
This state of affairs suggests that current research on job strain and risk of stroke is biased in its conclusions and probably overestimates the importance of the link between job strain and risk of stroke. Integrative studies taking into account the multiple strains experienced by an individual in his/her life are urgently needed in this research field.
1. Huang Y, Xu S, Hua J, et al. Association between job strain and risk of incident stroke: a meta-analysis. Neurology Epub 2015 Oct 14.
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.