Differences in cardiovascular risk levels between cleaning staff and hotel housekeepers

Background and objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a greater incidence in the most disadvantaged social classes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the level of cardiovascular risk in cleaning workers. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in 46.632 cleaning workers (40.169 women and 6.463 men). Thirty-one different scales related to cardiovascular risk were studied (14 assessing overweight and obesity, 5 determining the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 5 scales of cardiovascular risk, 4 atherogenic indices, and 3 scales of metabolic syndrome, among others). The results obtained were divided between personnel who perform their cleaning tasksin the hotel and catering industry and those in other sectors. Results: The prevalence of obesity and arterial hypertension in cleaning workers was over 20% in both sexes. A similar amount was observed in moderate or high values on the REGICOR (Registre GIroní del COR) scale. More than 15% presented metabolic syndrome according to the NCEP ATPIII (National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Program III) criteria, while over 10% of women and 20% of men had a high risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease assessed with the fatty liver index. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk is higher, in both sexes, in the group of cleaning workers who work in companies other than hotels.