Background and Purpose: Bus drivers need to pay attention for long periods of time because of their occupation. In the long run, most of them lack exercise, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This will not only affect the bus driver's well-being but will also affect the safety of their passengers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the health status of the bus drivers and establish background data. Methods: 295 bus drivers, who were between 26 and 61 years of age, were enrolled in this study. They came to a regional hospital in Taipei County for physical checkups between November 2002 and December 2003. The physical checkups included a detailed medical history, physical examination and measurement of fasting blood biochemistry. Results: Of the 295 subjects, 287 were male (97.3%) and only 8 were female (2.7%). This study concentrated on the male bus drivers for statistical consideration. Average age of the male drivers was 43.1±7.7 years. Abnormality rates were: 36.9% overweight, 35.8% obese, 29.9% hypertension, 41.4% hypercholesterolemia, 46.6% hypertriglycerolemia, 34.4% hyperuricemia, 22.2% impaired glucose intolerance, 11.4% suspicion of diabetes, 13.25% abnormal liver function, 0.3% abnormal renal function. Furthermore, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar significantly increased with age (P<0.001, P=0.019) but uric acid decreased with age (P=0.001). These are statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that male bus drivers were more prone to obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes in spite of their uric acid being lower than average. The health education systems should focus on them.
Background and Purpose: Bus drivers need to pay attention for long periods of time because of their occupation. In the long run, most of them lack exercise, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This will not only affect the bus driver's well-being but will also affect the safety of their passengers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the health status of the bus drivers and establish background data. Methods: 295 bus drivers, who were between 26 and 61 years of age, were enrolled in this study. They came to a regional hospital in Taipei County for physical checkups between November 2002 and December 2003. The physical checkups included a detailed medical history, physical examination and measurement of fasting blood biochemistry. Results: Of the 295 subjects, 287 were male (97.3%) and only 8 were female (2.7%). This study concentrated on the male bus drivers for statistical consideration. Average age of the male drivers was 43.1±7.7 years. Abnormality rates were: 36.9% overweight, 35.8% obese, 29.9% hypertension, 41.4% hypercholesterolemia, 46.6% hypertriglycerolemia, 34.4% hyperuricemia, 22.2% impaired glucose intolerance, 11.4% suspicion of diabetes, 13.25% abnormal liver function, 0.3% abnormal renal function. Furthermore, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar significantly increased with age (P<0.001, P=0.019) but uric acid decreased with age (P=0.001). These are statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that male bus drivers were more prone to obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes in spite of their uric acid being lower than average. The health education systems should focus on them.