We thank the National Science Council, Taiwan (NSC 97-2221-E-039 -007 -MY3), for financial support. We thank all individuals who volunteered to participate in this study as well as the graduate students who assisted with environmental sampling in the workplaces studied.
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Table 1 Demographic characteristics and risk factors for hypertension in the three
a Kruskal-Wallis test of the difference between three groups. b Chi-square test of the
difference between three groups. c Fisher’s exact test of the difference between three groups. d Mann-Whitney test for a significant difference (p < 0.050) compared with the low-hearing-loss group. e Mann-Whitney test for a significant difference (p <
0.050) compared with the median-hearing-loss group. f Chi-square test for a significant difference (p < 0.050) compared with the low-hearing-loss group.
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2 Hearing loss at high frequencies and correlation with noise levels among the three groups High HL groupMedian HL groupLow HL groupSpearman’s rank correlationiable Median (IRQ) Median (IRQ) Median (IRQ)
P-value CoefficientP-value ring loss (dB) at 4000 Hz t ear35.0 (30.0)b, c 20.0 (15.0) b 0 (10.0)<0.001a 0.169 <0.001 ht ear35.0 (35.0) b, c 20.0 (10.0) b 0 (5.0)<0.001a 0.149 <0.001 n of both ears 35.0 (27.5) b, c 17.5 (10.0) b 0 (7.5)<0.001a 0.159 <0.001 ring loss (dB) at 6000 Hz t ear40.0 (20.0) b, c 20.0 (10.0) b 0 (10.0)<0.001a 0.172 <0.001 ht ear45.0 (30.0) b, c 20.0 (10.0) b 0 (5.0)<0.001a 0.127 <0.001 n of both ears 42.5 (20.0) b, c 17.5 (7.5) b 0 (7.5)<0.001a 0.145 <0.001 decibel; dBA = A-weighted decibel; HL = hearing loss; IRQ = interquartile range; SD = standard deviation. kal-Wallis testofthedifferencebetweenthreegroups. b Mann-Whitneytestfora significantdifference(p<0.050)compared with the aring-loss group. c Mann-Whitney test for a significant difference (p < 0.050) compared with the median-hearing-loss group.
36
3 Prevalence of hypertension and age-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) by study groups Resting SBPResting DBPps No. Mean ± SD (mm Hg)Mean ± SD (mm Hg)
Hypertension No. (%)OR (95%CI) -hearing-loss group 274 123.2±11.6 82.1±8.8 91 (33.2)1.00 an-hearing-loss group 302 122.7±12.4 82.9±8.8 127 (42.1)c 1.45 (1.03-2.04) h-hearing-loss group214 122.9±12.7 83.0±9.1 93 (43.5)c 1.50 (1.03-2.18) p = 0.800a p = 0.444a p = 0.034b I = 95% confidence interval; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; OR = odds ratio; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SD = standard deviation. kal-Wallis test of the difference between three groups. b Chi-square test of the difference between three groups. c Chi-square test for a significant ence (p < 0.05)compared with the low-hearing-loss group.
37
4 Associations between different hearing loss groups and the prevalence of hypertension les Univariate OR (95%CI)P-value Multivariate ORa (95%CI)P-value an HL group vs. low HL group 1.46 (1.04-2.05)0.029 1.46 (1.03-2.05)0.031 L group vs. low HL group 1.55 (1.07-2.24)0.021 1.48 (1.02-2.15)0.040 years): >=40 vs. <40 1.26 (0.94-1.68)0.123 1.22 (0.91-1.65)0.191 ational level (years): >=12 vs. <12 1.02 (0.76-1.37)0.900 1.04 (0.77-1.41)0.797 ceride level (mg/dl): >=150 vs. <150 1.55 (1.11-2.18)0.011 1.53 (1.09-2.16)0.015 cco use: yes vs. no 0.98 (0.74-1.31)0.897 1.13 (0.62-2.04)0.698 consumption: yes vs. no 0.97 (0.72-1.30)0.846 0.85 (0.45-1.63)0.631 ar exercise: yes vs. no 1.08 (0.80-1.47)0.618 1.17 (0.81-1.67)0.403 I = 95% confidence interval; HL = hearing loss; OR = odds ratio. ultivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for age, educational level, triglyceride level (>=150 vs. <150 mg/dl), tobacco use, alcohol ption and regular exercise.
Figure legends
Figure 1
Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for hypertension by duration of
employment among workers. All analyses were adjusted for age, educational level, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption and regular exercise.
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00
< 5 5-10 >=10 < 5 5-10 >=10
Avera ge hea ring loss>=15 dB a t 4 kHz bila tera lly Avera ge hea ring loss>=15 dB a t 6 kHz bila tera lly
Odds ratio and 95% CI