Association between occupational stress and asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease: A cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study

Objectives: Asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease (ACVD) represents a group of clinically silent yet socially significant conditions associated with an increased risk of stroke and cognitive impairment. Occupational stress (OS) has been increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to cerebrovascular pathology. This study aimed to evaluate the association between OS and ACVD and to examine its interaction with established vascular risk factors (RFs). Materials and Methods: We conducted a case–control study including 151 employed individuals with vascular RFs who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on MRI findings, participants were categorized into two groups: individuals with imaging features consistent with ACVD (n = 41) and controls without such changes (n = 110). Occupational stress was assessed using the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS). Additional demographic, occupational, and clinical data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between OS and white-matter hyperintensities (WMH), adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Participants with ACVD demonstrated higher OS levels compared to controls. In unadjusted analyses, higher OS scores were associated with increased odds of WMH; however, this association did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for age (OR = 1.734; 95% CI: 0.492–1.093). Occupational stress was not identified as an independent predictor of WMH in multivariable logistic regression models. Significant positive correlations were observed between OS and professional experience (Rho = 0.172, p = 0.036), weekly working hours (Rho = 0.244, p = 0.003), and shift work (Rho = 0.209, p = 0.010). Conclusion: Occupational stress may contribute to ACVD, particularly in individuals with hypertension, shift work, and prolonged working hours (>55 hours/week), potentially through synergistic interactions with vascular risk factors. Although OS was not an independent predictor of WMH, its cumulative impact warrants further.