Hypertension among workers occupationally exposed to hydrocarbons and organic solvents

The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of the possible risk factors associated-with hypertension among workers occupationally exposed to gasoline vapour. This study consisted of 86 cases [chronic hydrocarbon exposure group] and 86 controls [sedentary officers] matched for age and nationality in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. Mean age for the hydrocarbon exposed group was 36.9 +/- 7.8 years and for the control group it was 37.9 +/- 7.5 years. Dizziness (66.7%), weakness (47.4%), tiredness (55%), and general malaise (83.3%) was more frequently reported by exposed groups than in controls. 71.4% of the exposed group and 28.6% of the controls have had taken medication for high blood pressure, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). 60% of the exposed and 40% of the unexposed admitted to being diabetic and taking medications for diabetes during the past six months. Cigarette smoking was more popular among the exposed group (55.7%). Systolic blood pressure 90(th) percentile (P90) for the exposed group was 140 while for the unexposed group it was 130. There was also a significant difference in the 90(th) percentile for Cummulative Exposure Index (CEI) for the exposed group (8.57) and the unexposed group (3.33). The 90(th) percentile for obese in the unexposed group was 32.9 while for the exposed group it was 28.7. The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that only age, medical complaints and systolic blood pressure variables were found statistically significant predictors as a risk factors. But, dizziness, weakness, tiredness,diastolic blood pressure, pulse body mass index (BMI) and urinary lead variables did not entered into the model to have a significant roles.