Job stress and glycated hemoglobin levels: the role of educational attainment. Baseline data from the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

Introduction: stressful work conditions are associated to increased glycemic levels, but little is known about the role of educational attainment in this association. Objectives: to analyze the association between psychosocial stress at work, levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and the role of educational attainment as an effect modifier. Methods: a cross-sectional study with baseline data from 11,922 active workers who participated in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Psychosocial stress at work was measured via the Demand-Control model. Multinomial logistic regression and multiplicative interactions were performed. Results: among female workers with low educational attainment, there was an association of low skill discretion and elevated HbA1c (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.09-2.24). Low decision authority was associated to borderline (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.01-1.45) and high (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.19-2.51) HbA1c. Among male workers with low educational attainment, high strain (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.18-3.21), low skill discretion (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.41-2.83), and low decision authority (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.13-2.21) were associated to high HbA1c. Conclusion: Stress at work was associated to high and borderline levels of HbAlc in workers from both genders with low educational attainment. Actions to modify work relations and to prevent chronic diseases should be prioritized for this group.