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Work Hours and Cognitive Function: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Authors :
Luenda E. Charles
Desta Fekedulegn
Cecil M. Burchfiel
Kaori Fujishiro
Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri
Annette L. Fitzpatrick
Stephen R. Rapp
Source :
Safety and Health at Work, Vol 11, Iss 2, Pp 178-186 (2020)
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2020.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive impairment is a public health burden. Our objective was to investigate associations between work hours and cognitive function. Methods: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants (n = 2,497; 50.7% men; age range 44–84 years) reported hours per week worked in all jobs in Exams 1 (2000–2002), 2 (2002–2004), 3 (2004–2005), and 5 (2010–2011). Cognitive function was assessed (Exam 5) using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (version 2), a measure of global cognitive functioning; the Digit Symbol Coding, a measure of processing speed; and the Digit Span test, a measure of attention and working memory. We used a prospective approach and linear regression to assess associations for every 10 hours of work. Results: Among all participants, associations of hours worked with cognitive function of any type were not statistically significant. In occupation-stratified analyses (interaction p = 0.051), longer work hours were associated with poorer global cognitive function among Sales/Office and blue-collar workers, after adjustment for age, sex, physical activity, body mass index, race/ethnicity, educational level, annual income, history of heart attack, diabetes, apolipoprotein E-epsilon 4 allele (ApoE4) status, birth-place, number of years in the United States, language spoken at MESA Exam 1, and work hours at Exam 5 (β = –0.55, 95% CI = –0.99, –0.09) and (β = –0.80, –1.51, –0.09), respectively. In occupation-stratified analyses (interaction p = 0.040), we also observed an inverse association with processing speed among blue-collar workers (adjusted β = –0.80, –1.52, –0.07). Sex, race/ethnicity, and ApoE4 did not significantly modify associations between work hours and cognitive function. Conclusion: Weak inverse associations were observed between work hours and cognitive function among Sales/Office and blue-collar workers.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20937911
Volume :
11
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Safety and Health at Work
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.bd0f8c4d2753466a809ad29b0d457d3b
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2020.02.004