Risk of Cerebro-Cardiovascular Diseases among Police Officers and Firefighters: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose: Police officers and firefighters are exposed to risk factors for cerebro-cardiovascular diseases, and the actual risk is expected to increase compared with other occupational groups. The present study aimed to estimate the risks of cerebro-cardiovascular diseases in police officers and firefighters compared to other occupational groups.

Materials and methods: Using the National Health Insurance Service data, we constructed a retrospective cohort of public officers. Three-year consecutive health insurance registration data were used to identify police officers and firefighters. Cerebro-cardiovascular diseases consisted of acute myocardial infarction, other ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia, and stroke. We compared the incidences of cerebro-cardiovascular diseases between each of the two occupational groups (police officers and firefighters) and other public officers by calculating standardized incidence ratios (SIRs).

Results: SIRs and 95% confidence intervals of all cerebro-cardiovascular diseases for police officers and firefighters were 1.71 (1.66-1.76) and 1.22 (1.12-1.31), respectively, as compared with all public officers. The incidence ratios remained significantly higher compared to general and education officers. Subgroup analyses for myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiac arrhythmia exhibited significant increases in incidence ratios among police officers and firefighters.

Conclusion: This study suggests that both police officers and firefighters are at high risk of cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, medical protection measures for these occupational groups should be improved.