[Relationship between arterial pressure and exposure to noise at work].

BACKGROUND

Exposure to high levels of noise has been identified as a possible risk factor in the development of arterial hypertension.

METHODS

With the aim of evaluating this possibility a transversal study was designed in that the results of routine medical examinations carried out on 806 workers from different sectors in the Community of Valencia were analyzed. Occupational exposure to noise in the subjects included in the sample were categorized according to the activity of the enterprise to which each employee belonged and the work post occupied by the same.

RESULTS

No relation was found between arterial pressure and exposure to noise at work. However a relation was found when two groups of workers in consideration had hearing loss above and below 65 decibels for the frequency of 4000 Hz and the group with the greatest losses (indicator of greater exposure to noise) presented greater mean values of arterial pressure and a higher percentage of hypertensive subjects. Nonetheless, the differences between both groups of workers did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained from this study do not permit clear determination of the relation between laboral exposure to noise and arterial pressure. The limitations of the design of the study itself are discussed.