Temporal trends in chronic diseases among offshore oil workers and the interaction effect of age with body mass index

Abstract

Objective: To analyze trends in hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia prevalence among Chinese offshore oil workers and explore the independent and interaction effects of age and BMI. Methods: Using health examination data of this population (2014–2024), we calculated the crude prevalence rate (CPR, the prevalence rate without age-structure adjustment) and the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR, adjusted to a standard population structure). Joinpoint regression assessed ASPR trends, and multivariable logistic regression analyzed age and BMI effects. Results: The overall mean CPR for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia from 2014 to 2024 were 22.41, 2.53, and 29.64%, respectively. Trend analysis revealed that ASPR for diabetes [Annual Percent Change (APC): 24.08, 95% CI: 12.93–35.23] and Dyslipidemia (APC: 21.83, 95% CI: 10.45–33.21) increased significantly (both p < 0.001), while hypertension trend was non-significant. In the risk factor analysis, both age (OR for hypertension = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.03–1.04; OR for diabetes = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.08–1.13; OR for Dyslipidemia = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03) and BMI (OR for hypertension = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.11–1.15; OR for diabetes = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.12–1.22; OR for Dyslipidemia = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.16–1.20) were independent risk factors for all three conditions (all p < 0.001). A significant multiplicative interaction effect was observed among age and BMI, the group “Age >40 years and BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2” had the highest risk for hypertension (OR = 2.98, 95% CI: 2.37–3.74, p < 0.05), diabetes (OR = 16.11, 95% CI: 6.95–37.31), and Dyslipidemia (OR = 4.01, 95% CI: 3.30–4.88). Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic diseases among Chinese offshore oil workers is high, with diabetes and Dyslipidemia showing significant upward trends. Age and BMI are important influencing factors and exhibit an interaction effect. This population should be prioritized in occupational health surveillance, and comprehensive interventions focusing on weight management and metabolic screening should be implemented, particularly targeting middle-aged individuals with elevated BMI.