Analysis of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk factors and the option of their correction among workers in underground mining

Aim of the study. To analyze the nutrition and health status of employees of hazardous industries on the example of a mining enterprise and to assess the possibility of modifying risk factors. Materials and methods. The observation group consisted of 177 employees examined in the Center for Occupational Medicine and Occupational Pathology in 2014. The observed employees were to expose to inherent occupational factors in underground work (100%). The average age amounted to 39.7±8.5 years. The average experience was 13.2±6.6 years. The comparison group included 145 employees examined for second time in 2018. While studying, we applied the analysis of working conditions and medical documentation for the period from 2014 to 2018, questionnaires, standardized survey, clinical examination, statistical and mathematical processing results. Results. According to all diagnostic criteria, 34.6% (61) of employees manifested metabolic syndrome (MS) in 2014. Results of clinical and laboratory tests showed other 20.9% (37) of employees matched partial criteria. At that, dyslipidemia and central obesity were observed most frequently (BMI=42.8±5.3 kg/m 2 , waist measurement =108.8±18.4 cm). In 2018, MS was found in 20% (29) of employees (χ 2 =8.27, significance level 0.005, 95%CI=1.2-2.5; V=0.2). The percentage of employees suffered from central obesity combined with metabolic disorders, decreased from 20.9% (37) to 11.7% (17) (χ 2 =4.81, significance level of 0.03, 95% CI=1.0-3.0; V=0.12). At the end of the study, employees had an average BMI=30.3±3.7 kg/m 2 (t=1.93, p=0.05), and an average waist measurement =96.1±3.7 cm (t=1.93, p=0.05). Conclusion. Working conditions in underground mining employees contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome. Correction of eating behavior and an increase in physical activity might reduce the risk of forming a metabolic syndrome and preserve employees’ occupational working capacity involving in underground mining only in a long perspective.