A multifactorial health risk questionnaire

Objective: to assess the relations between cardiovascular risk factors and psychological or socio-economic status. Methods: We used a self-questionnai re including data upon usual risk factors, anxiety, depression, behavioural pattern, somatic manifestations, life style, incomes and work-related stre ss. We gathered 955 people, mainly attending an occupational health examina tion, filling anonymously the same restricted questionnaire (83 questions). Results: Non-working people represented only 4.4 per cent of the study gro up and included mainly retired people. They differed significantly from wag e earners by a higher level of cardiovascular risk and depression, respecti vely 15.8 (s.d. 11.3) versus 7.8 (6.7) and 5.6 (3.5) versus 3.9 (2.8). Thes e differences can be related to older age of this group. Among working peop le, 30 per cent felt job-insecurity; they differed significantly from worki ng people by a higher level of anxiety, 8.9 (3.7) versus 7.5 (3.3). There w as no difference concerning the absolute cardiovascular risk or the behavio ural pattern. A comprehensive self questionnaire is proposed.