Skip to main content
Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 3/2015

01.04.2015 | Original Article

The association of effort–reward imbalance and asthma: findings from two cross-sectional studies

verfasst von: Adrian Loerbroks, Raphael M. Herr, Jian Li, Jos A. Bosch, Max Seegel, Michael Schneider, Peter Angerer, Burkhard Schmidt

Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Ausgabe 3/2015

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Purpose

There is evidence to suggest that work stress is positively associated with the occurrence of asthma. A limitation is that the small number of prior studies utilized unestablished work stress measures, thus constraining interpretation and generalizability. The present study re-examined this association by assessing work stress based on the well-established effort–reward imbalance (ERI) model.

Methods

We drew on data from two cross-sectional studies. Study 1 was conducted in a large pharmaceutical company in 2013 (n = 1,464). Study 2 was based on data from the 2011 wave of the population-based German Socio-Economic Panel (n = 8,388). ERI was assessed by validated questionnaires. Asthma was determined by self-report of a physician-based diagnosis. Associations between ERI or its subcomponents “effort”, “reward” and “overcommitment” (z scores or categorized) with asthma were estimated by logistic regression models and reported as adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A one standard deviation increase of the ERI score (reflecting higher work stress) was associated with a 22–48 % elevated odds of asthma (Study 1: OR 1.48, 95 % CI 1.13–1.95, and Study 2: OR 1.22, 95 % CI 1.10–1.36). Z score-based analyses of the separate ERI components generally suggested moderate associations of effort, reward and overcommitment with asthma in both studies (Study 1: OR effort 1.25, 95 % CI 0.95–1.64, OR reward 0.67, 95 % CI 0.51–0.87, OR overcommitment 1.32, 95 % CI 1.01–1.72; and Study 2: OR effort 1.21, 95 % CI 1.09–1.34, OR reward 0.83, 95 % CI 0.76–0.92, OR overcommitment 1.12, 95 % CI 1.01–1.25). Analyses of categorized exposures largely confirmed these observations.

Conclusions

This is the first study to demonstrate a link between an established work stress measure and asthma. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the direction of these associations.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Backe EM, Seidler A, Latza U, Rossnagel K, Schumann B (2012) The role of psychosocial stress at work for the development of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85:67–79CrossRef Backe EM, Seidler A, Latza U, Rossnagel K, Schumann B (2012) The role of psychosocial stress at work for the development of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85:67–79CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Blekesaune M, Solem P (2005) Working conditions and early retirement: a prospective study of retirement behavior. Res Aging 27:3–30CrossRef Blekesaune M, Solem P (2005) Working conditions and early retirement: a prospective study of retirement behavior. Res Aging 27:3–30CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bonde JP (2008) Psychosocial factors at work and risk of depression: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence. Occup Environ Med 65:438–445CrossRef Bonde JP (2008) Psychosocial factors at work and risk of depression: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence. Occup Environ Med 65:438–445CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Chandola T, Brunner E, Marmot M (2006) Chronic stress at work and the metabolic syndrome: prospective study. BMJ 332:521–525CrossRef Chandola T, Brunner E, Marmot M (2006) Chronic stress at work and the metabolic syndrome: prospective study. BMJ 332:521–525CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Chen E, Hanson MD, Paterson LQ, Griffin MJ, Walker HA, Miller GE (2006) Socioeconomic status and inflammatory processes in childhood asthma: the role of psychological stress. J Allergy Clin Immunol 117:1014–1020CrossRef Chen E, Hanson MD, Paterson LQ, Griffin MJ, Walker HA, Miller GE (2006) Socioeconomic status and inflammatory processes in childhood asthma: the role of psychological stress. J Allergy Clin Immunol 117:1014–1020CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Chida Y, Hamer M, Steptoe A (2008) A bidirectional relationship between psychosocial factors and atopic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosom Med 70:102–116CrossRef Chida Y, Hamer M, Steptoe A (2008) A bidirectional relationship between psychosocial factors and atopic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosom Med 70:102–116CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Eng A, Mannetje A, Pearce N, Douwes J (2011) Work-related stress and asthma: results from a workforce survey in New Zealand. J Asthma 48:783–789CrossRef Eng A, Mannetje A, Pearce N, Douwes J (2011) Work-related stress and asthma: results from a workforce survey in New Zealand. J Asthma 48:783–789CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Eriksson AK, van den Donk M, Hilding A, Ostenson CG (2013) Work stress, sense of coherence, and risk of type 2 diabetes in a prospective study of middle-aged Swedish men and women. Diabetes Care 36:2683–2689CrossRef Eriksson AK, van den Donk M, Hilding A, Ostenson CG (2013) Work stress, sense of coherence, and risk of type 2 diabetes in a prospective study of middle-aged Swedish men and women. Diabetes Care 36:2683–2689CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Goodwin L, Ben-Zion I, Fear NT, Hotopf M, Stansfeld SA, Wessely S (2013) Are reports of psychological stress higher in occupational studies? A systematic review across occupational and population based studies. PLoS ONE 8:e78693CrossRef Goodwin L, Ben-Zion I, Fear NT, Hotopf M, Stansfeld SA, Wessely S (2013) Are reports of psychological stress higher in occupational studies? A systematic review across occupational and population based studies. PLoS ONE 8:e78693CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gs-Eps SOEP (2012) SOEP wave report 2011. DIW Berlin, Berlin Gs-Eps SOEP (2012) SOEP wave report 2011. DIW Berlin, Berlin
Zurück zum Zitat Haczku A, Panettieri RA Jr (2010) Social stress and asthma: the role of corticosteroid insensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 125:550–558CrossRef Haczku A, Panettieri RA Jr (2010) Social stress and asthma: the role of corticosteroid insensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 125:550–558CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Haroon E, Raison CL, Miller AH (2012) Psychoneuroimmunology meets neuropsychopharmacology: translational implications of the impact of inflammation on behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 37:137–162CrossRef Haroon E, Raison CL, Miller AH (2012) Psychoneuroimmunology meets neuropsychopharmacology: translational implications of the impact of inflammation on behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 37:137–162CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Head J, Kivimaki M, Siegrist J, Ferrie JE, Vahtera J, Shipley MJ, Marmot MG (2007) Effort-reward imbalance and relational injustice at work predict sickness absence: the Whitehall II study. J Psychosom Res 63:433–440CrossRef Head J, Kivimaki M, Siegrist J, Ferrie JE, Vahtera J, Shipley MJ, Marmot MG (2007) Effort-reward imbalance and relational injustice at work predict sickness absence: the Whitehall II study. J Psychosom Res 63:433–440CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Himmerich H, Fulda S, Linseisen J, Seiler H, Wolfram G, Himmerich S, Gedrich K, Kloiber S, Lucae S, Ising M, Uhr M, Holsboer F, Pollmacher T (2008) Depression, comorbidities and the TNF-alpha system. Eur Psychiatry 23:421–429CrossRef Himmerich H, Fulda S, Linseisen J, Seiler H, Wolfram G, Himmerich S, Gedrich K, Kloiber S, Lucae S, Ising M, Uhr M, Holsboer F, Pollmacher T (2008) Depression, comorbidities and the TNF-alpha system. Eur Psychiatry 23:421–429CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Howren MB, Lamkin DM, Suls J (2009) Associations of depression with C-reactive protein, IL-1, and IL-6: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med 71:171–186CrossRef Howren MB, Lamkin DM, Suls J (2009) Associations of depression with C-reactive protein, IL-1, and IL-6: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med 71:171–186CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kang DH, Coe CL, McCarthy DO, Jarjour NN, Kelly EA, Rodriguez RR, Busse WW (1997) Cytokine profiles of stimulated blood lymphocytes in asthmatic and healthy adolescents across the school year. J Interferon Cytokine Res 17:481–487CrossRef Kang DH, Coe CL, McCarthy DO, Jarjour NN, Kelly EA, Rodriguez RR, Busse WW (1997) Cytokine profiles of stimulated blood lymphocytes in asthmatic and healthy adolescents across the school year. J Interferon Cytokine Res 17:481–487CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kraatz S, Lang J, Kraus T, Munster E, Ochsmann E (2013) The incremental effect of psychosocial workplace factors on the development of neck and shoulder disorders: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 86:375–395CrossRef Kraatz S, Lang J, Kraus T, Munster E, Ochsmann E (2013) The incremental effect of psychosocial workplace factors on the development of neck and shoulder disorders: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 86:375–395CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kroll LE, Lampert T (2013) Direct costs of inequalities in health care utilization in Germany 1994 to 2009: a top-down projection. BMC Health Serv Res 13:271CrossRef Kroll LE, Lampert T (2013) Direct costs of inequalities in health care utilization in Germany 1994 to 2009: a top-down projection. BMC Health Serv Res 13:271CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Li J, Loerbroks A, Jarczok MN, Schollgen I, Bosch JA, Mauss D, Siegrist J, Fischer JE (2012) Psychometric properties and differential explanation of a short measure of effort-reward imbalance at work: a study of industrial workers in Germany. Am J Ind Med 55:808–815CrossRef Li J, Loerbroks A, Jarczok MN, Schollgen I, Bosch JA, Mauss D, Siegrist J, Fischer JE (2012) Psychometric properties and differential explanation of a short measure of effort-reward imbalance at work: a study of industrial workers in Germany. Am J Ind Med 55:808–815CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Lietzen R, Virtanen P, Kivimaki M, Sillanmaki L, Vahtera J, Koskenvuo M (2011) Stressful life events and the onset of asthma. Eur Respir J 37:1360–1365CrossRef Lietzen R, Virtanen P, Kivimaki M, Sillanmaki L, Vahtera J, Koskenvuo M (2011) Stressful life events and the onset of asthma. Eur Respir J 37:1360–1365CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Liu LY, Coe CL, Swenson CA, Kelly EA, Kita H, Busse WW (2002) School examinations enhance airway inflammation to antigen challenge. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 165:1062–1067CrossRef Liu LY, Coe CL, Swenson CA, Kelly EA, Kita H, Busse WW (2002) School examinations enhance airway inflammation to antigen challenge. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 165:1062–1067CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Loerbroks A, Apfelbacher CJ, Thayer JF, Debling D, Stürmer T (2009) Neuroticism, extraversion, stressful life events and asthma: a cohort study of middle-aged adults. Allergy 64:1444–1450CrossRef Loerbroks A, Apfelbacher CJ, Thayer JF, Debling D, Stürmer T (2009) Neuroticism, extraversion, stressful life events and asthma: a cohort study of middle-aged adults. Allergy 64:1444–1450CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Loerbroks A, Gadinger MC, Bosch JA, Sturmer T, Amelang M (2010) Work-related stress, inability to relax after work and risk of adult asthma: a population-based cohort study. Allergy 65:1298–1305CrossRef Loerbroks A, Gadinger MC, Bosch JA, Sturmer T, Amelang M (2010) Work-related stress, inability to relax after work and risk of adult asthma: a population-based cohort study. Allergy 65:1298–1305CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Malo J-L, Lemière C, Gautrin D, Labrecque M, Lavoie K (2010) Asthma and the workplace. In: Harver A, Kotses H (eds) Asthma, health and society. Springer, New York, pp 303–324CrossRef Malo J-L, Lemière C, Gautrin D, Labrecque M, Lavoie K (2010) Asthma and the workplace. In: Harver A, Kotses H (eds) Asthma, health and society. Springer, New York, pp 303–324CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Matalka KZ (2003) Neuroendocrine and cytokines-induced responses to minutes, hours, and days of mental stress. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 24:283–292 Matalka KZ (2003) Neuroendocrine and cytokines-induced responses to minutes, hours, and days of mental stress. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 24:283–292
Zurück zum Zitat Miller G, Chen E, Cole SW (2009) Health psychology: developing biologically plausible models linking the social world and physical health. Annu Rev Psychol 60:501–524CrossRef Miller G, Chen E, Cole SW (2009) Health psychology: developing biologically plausible models linking the social world and physical health. Annu Rev Psychol 60:501–524CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Peltzer K, Shisana O, Zuma K, van Wyk B, Zungu-Dirwayi N (2009) Job stress, job satisfaction and stress-related illness among South African educators. Stress Health 25:247–257CrossRef Peltzer K, Shisana O, Zuma K, van Wyk B, Zungu-Dirwayi N (2009) Job stress, job satisfaction and stress-related illness among South African educators. Stress Health 25:247–257CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Rosenkranz MA (2007) Substance P at the nexus of mind and body in chronic inflammation and affective disorders. Psychol Bull 133:1007–1037CrossRef Rosenkranz MA (2007) Substance P at the nexus of mind and body in chronic inflammation and affective disorders. Psychol Bull 133:1007–1037CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Schupp J (2012) The Socioeconomic Panel (SOEP). Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 55:767–774CrossRef Schupp J (2012) The Socioeconomic Panel (SOEP). Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 55:767–774CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Segerstrom SC (2008) Social networks and immunosuppression during stress: relationship conflict or energy conservation? Brain Behav Immun 22:279–284CrossRef Segerstrom SC (2008) Social networks and immunosuppression during stress: relationship conflict or energy conservation? Brain Behav Immun 22:279–284CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Shaaban R, Zureik M, Soussan D, Neukirch C, Heinrich J, Sunyer J, Wjst M, Cerveri I, Pin I, Bousquet J, Jarvis D, Burney PG, Neukirch F, Leynaert B (2008) Rhinitis and onset of asthma: a longitudinal population-based study. Lancet 372:1049–1057CrossRef Shaaban R, Zureik M, Soussan D, Neukirch C, Heinrich J, Sunyer J, Wjst M, Cerveri I, Pin I, Bousquet J, Jarvis D, Burney PG, Neukirch F, Leynaert B (2008) Rhinitis and onset of asthma: a longitudinal population-based study. Lancet 372:1049–1057CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Siegrist J (1996) Adverse health effects of high-effort/low-reward conditions. J Occup Health Psychol 1:27–41CrossRef Siegrist J (1996) Adverse health effects of high-effort/low-reward conditions. J Occup Health Psychol 1:27–41CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Siegrist J (2008) Effort-reward imbalance and health in a globalized economy. SJWEH 6(Suppl):163–168 Siegrist J (2008) Effort-reward imbalance and health in a globalized economy. SJWEH 6(Suppl):163–168
Zurück zum Zitat Siegrist J, Starke D, Chandola T, Godin I, Marmot M, Niedhammer I, Peter R (2004) The measurement of effort-reward imbalance at work: European comparisons. Soc Sci Med 58:1483–1499CrossRef Siegrist J, Starke D, Chandola T, Godin I, Marmot M, Niedhammer I, Peter R (2004) The measurement of effort-reward imbalance at work: European comparisons. Soc Sci Med 58:1483–1499CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Siegrist J, Wege N, Puhlhofer F, Wahrendorf M (2009) A short generic measure of work stress in the era of globalization: effort-reward imbalance. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82:1005–1013CrossRef Siegrist J, Wege N, Puhlhofer F, Wahrendorf M (2009) A short generic measure of work stress in the era of globalization: effort-reward imbalance. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82:1005–1013CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Toren K, Brisman J, Jarvholm B (1993) Asthma and asthma-like symptoms in adults assessed by questionnaires. A literature review. Chest 104:600–608CrossRef Toren K, Brisman J, Jarvholm B (1993) Asthma and asthma-like symptoms in adults assessed by questionnaires. A literature review. Chest 104:600–608CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
The association of effort–reward imbalance and asthma: findings from two cross-sectional studies
verfasst von
Adrian Loerbroks
Raphael M. Herr
Jian Li
Jos A. Bosch
Max Seegel
Michael Schneider
Peter Angerer
Burkhard Schmidt
Publikationsdatum
01.04.2015
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Ausgabe 3/2015
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0962-5

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 3/2015

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 3/2015 Zur Ausgabe