Time trends in the incidence of myocardial infarction among professional drivers in Stockholm 1977-96

Aims: To investigate time trends in the incidence of first myocardial infarction (MI) among bus, taxi, and lorry drivers in Stockholm.

Methods: In this population based case-control study, all first events of acute MI among men aged 40–69 in Stockholm County 1977–96 were identified using registers of hospital discharges and deaths. Controls were selected randomly from the general population. National censuses were used for information on occupational titles. A total of 20 364 cases and 136 342 controls were included in the study. Among these, 1183 cases and 6072 controls had worked as drivers.

Results: During 1977–84 the MI incidence was higher in all three driver groups than among other manual workers. There was a decline in MI incidence among drivers as well as in the general population during the study period. The decline was greater among drivers than among other manual workers. During 1985–96 the relative risk remained increased compared to other manual workers among taxi and lorry drivers, but not among bus drivers.

Conclusions: Despite a reduced MI incidence for professional drivers in recent years, preventive measures to reduce the risk of MI in these occupational groups, and in particular among taxi and lorry drivers, continue to be of importance.