Occupational Noise Exposure and Diabetes Mellitus: A 3-year Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study

Abstract

The global prevalence of diabetes has been increasing. However, occupational environmental factors influencing it have been poorly studied. The effect of occupational noise exposure on diabetes is somewhat controversial. Thus, this study examines the relationship between occupational noise exposure (≥85 dBA) and diabetes incidence. Participants (n = 58,284) were recruited from a Common Data Model cohort of two hospitals from 2013 or 2014 and were annually followed up for three years. Drug history, clinical history of diabetes, and/or fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL or more were defined as new-onset diabetes. Multivariable time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models and Landmark analysis were implemented to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Pooled HRs and 95% CIs were calculated using the weight obtained through standard error. Of the participants, 4.65% developed diabetes during the follow-up. The final adjusted pooled HR of Cox models indicated a significant relationship between occupational noise exposure and increased risk of diabetes (Time-dependent Cox: HR 1.35 [95% CI 1.17–1.57]; Landmark: HR 1.22 [95% CI 1.10–1.35]). There is a significant relationship between occupational noise exposure and incidence of diabetes. Screening for diabetes, active management, and prevention may be necessary to improve the health of individuals exposed to occupational noise.