Abstract
We investigated long-term changes in physical examination outcomes and abnormal blood test values (including for the present illness) in workers aged 30-50 years who were engaged in construction work or in construction-related business. These workers underwent medical checkups in 1993 and 2008 with the aim to prevent lifestyle-related diseases; they were categorized by gender and age, and their medical checkup outcomes were compared.
In males, the values of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, serum total cholesterol (TC), and serum uric acid for all age groups and the fasting blood glucose values in their 50s were significantly higher in 2008 than in 1993, while the triglyceride (TG) values for all age groups were significantly lower. There were significant increases in the rates of obesity for workers in their 40s and 50s, of hypertension and hyperuricemia for all age groups, of hypercholesteremia in their 30s and 40s, and of hyperglycemia in their 50s. In addition, the incidence of hypertriglyceridemia decreased for all age groups. In females, the BMI value in 2008 was significantly lower and the percentage of lean workers increased for all age groups as compared with those in 1993. There was no significant change in the incidence of hypertension. The TC values were significantly higher in females in their 40s and 50s, while the TG values were significantly lower for all age groups. The rate of hypercholesterolemia significantly increased for all age groups, but hypertriglyceridemia significantly decreased in females in their 40s and 50s. There was no change in the values of fasting blood glucose and in the rate of hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, and fatty liver disease.
These results showed that during past 15 years, the blood test values became significantly higher and the rate of workers with lifestyle-related diseases increased significantly in males, whereas little changes were observed in females.
