Socioeconomic status, workplace characteristics and plasma fibrinogen level of Japanese male employees

Objectives This study examined the relationships between workplace characte ristics and plasma fibrinogen level and assessed the possibility of socioec onomic differences in plasma fibrinogen level being accounted for by workpl ace characteristics. Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire data from 4343 Japanese male employee s were examined with Karasek's demand-control model, as was sedentary job a nd overtime work. Results Less overtime work, a less sedentary job, and to a less extent, low er job control and low worksite support were related to increased plasma fi brinogen levels. Adjusting for employment grade strongly attenuated or elim inated these relationships. The association of job demands or job strain wi th plasma fibrinogen level was weak. High plasma fibrinogen in lower socioe conomic groups remained largely unchanged after adjustment for workplace ch aracteristics. Conclusions Workplace characteristics are not significantly related to the plasma fibrinogen levels of male Japanese employees after adjustment for so cioeconomic status, and they do not explain socioeconomic differences in pl asma Fibrinogen levels among these employees.