Necesidad de control sobre el trabajo como factor de riesgo de hipertensión arterial 1 Need for job control as a risk factor for arterial hypertension

A case-control study on 91 industrial workers (64 of them with hypertension) was carried out to test the need for job control as a risk factor for arterial hypertension. Both groups were statistically comparable regarding well known risk factors for hypertension. Body weight differed between both groups but showed statistical independence from job control. Blood pressure was measured at the worksite or position, at a medical institution, and in the community. The subjects answered a Spanish language version of Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire, which is based on subjects’ perception of their work. Another questionnaire on the same topics, but based on subjects’ needs and preferences, was also administered. Low need for job control was a significant risk factor for arterial hypertension in the examined subjects, particularly for those who perceived their work as demanding of high control.