Relationship between noise-induced hearing loss,hypertension and abnormal electrocardiogram in noise-exposed workers / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between noise-induced hearing loss, hypertension and abnormal electrocardiogram(ECG) in noise-exposed workers. METHODS: A judgment sampling method was adopted to select 555 male workers with hearing loss as study group and 555 male workers with normal hearing as control group in the similar environment in an automobile manufacturing enterprise in Guangzhou. Pure tone audiometry,blood pressure measurement and ECG examination were performed in both groups to analyze the relationship between hearing loss and hypertension and abnormal ECG. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of hypertension and abnormal ECG was higher in the hearing loss group than the control group(P < 0. 05). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting confounding factors such as age,seniority,body mass index,drinking et al,the risk of hypertension in hearing loss group was higher than the control group(P < 0. 05) and the odds ratio(OR) was 2. 255 [95% confidence interval(CI) 1. 093-4. 655 ],while adjusting the confounding factor of drinking,the risk of ECG abnormalities in hearing loss group was higher than the control group(P < 0. 05) and the OR was 1. 408(95% CI 1. 027-1. 930). CONCLUSION: Workers exposed to noise with hearing loss increase the risk of hypertension and abnormal ECG.