scholarly journals Shift Work and Endocrine Disorders

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Ulhôa ◽  
E. C. Marqueze ◽  
L. G. A. Burgos ◽  
C. R. C. Moreno

The objective of this review was to investigate the impact of shift and night work on metabolic processes and the role of alterations in the sleep-wake cycle and feeding times and environmental changes in the occurrence of metabolic disorders. The literature review was performed by searching three electronic databases for relevant studies published in the last 10 years. The methodological quality of each study was assessed, and best-evidence synthesis was applied to draw conclusions. The literature has shown changes in concentrations of melatonin, cortisol, ghrelin, and leptin among shift workers. Melatonin has been implicated for its role in the synthesis and action of insulin. The action of this hormone also regulates the expression of transporter glucose type 4 or triggers phosphorylation of the insulin receptor. Therefore, a reduction in melatonin can be associated with an increase in insulin resistance and a propensity for the development of diabetes. Moreover, shift work can negatively affect sleep and contribute to sedentarism, unhealthy eating habits, and stress. Recent studies on metabolic processes have increasingly revealed their complexity. Physiological changes induced in workers who invert their activity-rest cycle to fulfill work hours include disruptions in metabolic processes.

Thorax ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J Maidstone ◽  
James Turner ◽  
Celine Vetter ◽  
Hassan S Dashti ◽  
Richa Saxena ◽  
...  

IntroductionShift work causes misalignment between internal circadian time and the external light/dark cycle and is associated with metabolic disorders and cancer. Approximately 20% of the working population in industrialised countries work permanent or rotating night shifts, exposing this large population to the risk of circadian misalignment-driven disease. Analysis of the impact of shift work on chronic inflammatory diseases is lacking. We investigated the association between shift work and asthma.MethodsWe describe the cross-sectional relationship between shift work and prevalent asthma in >280000 UK Biobank participants, making adjustments for major confounding factors (smoking history, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, physical activity, body mass index). We also investigated chronotype.ResultsCompared with day workers, ‘permanent’ night shift workers had a higher likelihood of moderate-severe asthma (OR 1.36 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.8)) and all asthma (OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.46)). Individuals doing any type of shift work had higher adjusted odds of wheeze/whistling in the chest. Shift workers who never or rarely worked on nights and people working permanent nights had a higher adjusted likelihood of having reduced lung function (FEV1 <80% predicted). We found an increase in the risk of moderate-severe asthma in morning chronotypes working irregular shifts, including nights (OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.06 to 2.27)).ConclusionsThe public health implications of these findings are far-reaching due to the high prevalence and co-occurrence of both asthma and shift work. Future longitudinal follow-up studies are needed to determine if modifying shift work schedules to take into account chronotype might present a public health measure to reduce the risk of developing inflammatory diseases such as asthma.


Author(s):  
Mari-Anne Wallius ◽  
Susanna Järvelin-Pasanen ◽  
Saara M. Rissanen ◽  
Pasi A. Karjalainen ◽  
Kimmo Räsänen

Objective: This systematic review synthesizes literature on upper extremity physical exposure associated with floor mopping, in order to (a) assess the impact of changes in mopping systems on physical exposure and (b) propose recommendations for strategies to reduce exposure. Background: Floor-cleaning tools and equipment have undergone major improvements. Existing studies have focused on mop design modifications and cleaning efficiency. However, less is known about strain responses caused by modern tools and methods. Method: Studies from 1987 to February 2017 were identified by electronic and manual search. All selected studies underwent a quality assessment. The evidence was organized into categories representing different strategies for reducing exposure. The levels of evidence were determined using a best evidence synthesis approach. Results: Eleven studies were included. Based on the review findings, currently there is moderate evidence suggesting that reduced physical exposure has been achieved through development of mopping systems. Levels of evidence for strategies associated with positive effects on physical exposure were: moderate evidence for mop design and handle type, insufficient evidence for mopping technique, and mixed evidence for mopping methods and environment modifications. Therefore, the present study suggests the use of adjustable mop handles as a strategy for reducing physical exposure. Conclusion: A more comprehensive approach to reducing physical exposure concerning floor mopping work is necessary. Application: Knowledge regarding physical exposure reduction can be applied as the basis for decision making in cleaning practice. Information can be incorporated into future research regarding development of floor-cleaning methods.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
Andrea Tokić ◽  

Previous studies have shown negative effects of shift work on health, due to the desynchronization and resynchronization of biological rhythms. In these studies, among other parameters, indicators of cardiac dynamics were used, such as parameters of R-R interval variability, reduction in what has been considered a good predictor of health problems by some authors. The aim of this study was to determine the possible effects of shift work on the parameters of cardiac dynamics and the job perceptions of nurses of different lengths of service. The study included 48 nurses divided in two groups (24 nurses in each) of equal age and length of service. One group worked a three-shift rotation system and the other (control) worked only the day shift. On the basis of length of service, the groups were divided into three comparable subgroups with eight participants: 1–10, 11–20 and 21–30 years of service. Cardiac activity (R-R intervals) was monitored continuously during the morning shift using the Data Logging System. The participants also evaluated their satisfaction with the job, the difficulty of the work, and the impact of working hours on other aspects of life. Analysis of the results showed reduced variability in cardiac activity (DM-index) in the shift workers with up to 20 years of service, as compared with the comparative groups of day workers, which indicates a less favourable health dynamic. Differences among the oldest groups were not found, which can be attributed to spontaneous selection, where shift workers with health problems are transferred to the day shift. The shift workers were less satisfied with their job, assessing it as more difficult than the daytime workers, and showed a greater level of negative impact of working hours on other domains of life. Despite the specific and limited sample, resulting from difficulties in collecting the psychophysiological variables, the results show a satisfactory reliability and point to an adverse job perception and a cardiac dynamic less favourable for health. Keywords: cardiac dynamics, health, job satisfaction, nurses, R-R intervals, shift work


Author(s):  
Robert Maidstone ◽  
Simon G Anderson ◽  
David W Ray ◽  
Martin K Rutter ◽  
Hannah J Durrington ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionShift work is associated with both mental, and physical ill health, including lung disease and infections. However, the impact of shift work on significant COVID-19 illness has not be assessed. We therefore investigated whether shift work is associated with COVID-19.Methods501,000 UK biobank participants were linked to secondary care SARS-CoV-2 PCR results from public health England. Healthcare workers and those without an occupational history were excluded from analysis.ResultsMultivariate logistic regression taking into account age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation index revealed that irregular shift work (OR 2.42 95%CI 1.92-3.05), permanent shift work (OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.95-3.19), day shift work (OR 2.01, 95%CI 1.55-2.6), irregular night shift work (OR 3.04, 95%CI 2.37-3.9) and permanent night shift work (OR 2.49, 95%CI 1.67-3.7) were all associated with positive COVID-19 tests compared to participants that did not perform shift work. This relationship persisted after adding sleep duration, chronotype, pre-morbid disease, BMI, alcohol and smoking. Work factors (proximity to a colleague combined with estimated disease exposure) were positively correlated with COVID-19 incidence (r2=0.248, p=0.02). If this was added to the model shift work frequency remained significantly associated with COVID-19. To control for non-measured occupational factors the incidence of COVID-19 in shift workers was compared to colleagues in the same job who did not do shift work. Shift workers had a higher incidence of COVID-19 (p<0.01).ConclusionsShift work is associated with a higher likelihood of in-hospital COVID-19 positivity. This risk could potentially be mitigated via additional workplace precautions or vaccination.


Author(s):  
Santhosh E Kumar ◽  
Antonisamy B ◽  
Henry Kirupakaran ◽  
Reginald G Alex

Introduction: Shift workers and metabolic syndrome are on the rise in developing nations. The link between Metabolic syndrome and shiftwork is not clear. This study aims to measure the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among shift workers and daytime workers and to assess the association between metabolic syndrome and shift work. Methods: Cross- sectional study was done in a South Indian hospital. Participants were selected via systematic random sampling between the age group of 25 -50 years. There were two study groups – day and shift workers. Sample size calculation was done with an alpha error of 0.05 and power of 80% to detect a 12.5% difference for metabolic syndrome prevalence between the two groups. Outcomes studied include the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and odds of developing metabolic syndrome among shift workers. The Chi-square test and independent t-test were the tests of significance used. The impact of relevant parameters on metabolic syndrome was assessed using univariate and multivariable analysis. Results: Eighty employees were studied in each group. At baseline, differences include; daytime workers were older in age, had a better quality of sleep, were less active physically, and consisted of more vegetarians. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome prevalence was thirty-three percent among the participants. The odds ratio (adjusted for relevant confounders) for shift workers to develop metabolic syndrome was 0.55 (95% CI 0.24 -1.29). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in a third of the hospital employees studied. There was no statistical difference between shift and daytime workers for the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Increased awareness, screening, and preventive measures of the disease are recommended.Keywords: daytime, hospital, metabolic syndrome, shift work, sleep


2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Antunes ◽  
R. Levandovski ◽  
G. Dantas ◽  
W. Caumo ◽  
M. P. Hidalgo

The present review has the objective of summarising chronobiological aspects of shift work and obesity. There was a systematic search in PubMed databases, using the following descriptors: shift work; obesity; biological clock. Shift work is extremely frequent in several services and industries, in order to systematise the needs for flexibility of the workforce, necessary to optimise productivity and business competitiveness. In developing countries, this population represents a considerable contingent workforce. Recently, studies showed that overweight and obesity are more prevalent in shift workers than day workers. In addition, the literature shows that shift workers seem to gain weight more often than those workers submitted to a usual work day. In conclusion, there is considerable epidemiological evidence that shift work is associated with increased risk for obesity, diabetes and CVD, perhaps as a result of physiological maladaptation to chronically sleeping and eating at abnormal circadian times. The impact of shift work on metabolism supports a possible pathway to the development of obesity and its co-morbities. The present review demonstrated the adverse cardiometabolic implications of circadian misalignment, as occurs chronically with shift workers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Martins ◽  
J Lima

Abstract Introduction Recently, shift work and it consequences have been studied due to the strong relationship between shift work, sleep disorders and unhealthy eating habits, which could influence body composition and related health problems. Objectives To analyse the influence of shift work on body composition and eating habits of workers. Methodology Data collection was carried out through an interview with employees from a company in which data were collected such as sex, age, average number of hours of sleep and work schedule. An anthropometric evaluation was performed and weight, body fat mass percentage and waist circumference were measured. The height was self-reported. Individuals were also asked to answer to a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with descriptive and statistical analysis using U-Mann-Whitney test, in the IBM SPSS Statistics 25 program. Results The final sample consisted of 20 shift workers and 20 normal day workers. The mean BMI of normal day workers was 23.54 ± 3.19 kg/m2, and the average of the shift workers was 27.97 ± 5.48 kg/m2 (p = 0,001). Regarding the percentage of fat mass, the mean of the normal day sample was 28.53 ± 6.30% and the shift work sample showed an average of 29.85 ± 8.54% (p = 0,841). The shift sample reported a higher average daily intake of processed foods, high energy density food products with high fat and sugar content. Conclusion The higher BMI and fat percentage observed in shift workers comparing to normal day works are a topic of concern and could contribute to the assumption that the dynamics required by shift work can lead to changes in circadian rhythm, leading to metabolic alterations that could influence body composition and dietary choices.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Gamboa Madeira ◽  
C Fernandes ◽  
T Paiva ◽  
C Santos Moreira ◽  
D Caldeira

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Social Europeu (FSE) Introduction Modern societies function 24h/day which accounts for shift work (SW) encompassing already more than 20% of the European workforce. While the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular events is a continuous, hypertension (HTN) remains the major preventable cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in our continent. SW has been associated with sleep disturbances, circadian misalignment and unhealthy behaviours, possibly conducting to several chronic diseases. Therefore, we aimed to determine if shift workers have higher BP values and/or HTN risk. Methods This systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane electronic databases. Included studies reported HTN diagnosis using current thresholds and/or BP values, in both shift workers and in a control group of day workers. SW was categorized in 4 subgroups, focused mostly on night work. Pooled mean difference and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%IC) were estimated for continuous outcomes, Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), and pooled Odds Ratio and 95%IC were determined for HTN risk. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used for quality evaluation of included studies. Results Forty-five independent studies were included engaging 117252 workers. Of these, 41 studies were included in the meta-analysis for SBP, 39 for DBP and 14 for HTN. Most studies provided cross-sectional data (n = 42), were developed in Asia (n = 21), in an industrial setting (n = 25) and included only men (n = 26). Most studies were rated as satisfactory quality (n = 23) with confounder adjustment being the weakest parameter. We found a statically significant increase for both systolic and diastolic BP among permanent night workers, 2.52mmHg [0.75–4.29] and 1.77mmHg [0.39–3.15] respectively. Amongst rotational shift workers, both with and without night work, we found a significant increase only for SBP, namely 1.28 mmHg [0.18–2.39] and 0.65 mmHg [0.07–1.22]. For HTN risk, none of SW types showed significant differences. Conclusions Certain groups of shift workers may be at special risk for increased BP. This is the first review assessing the impact of SW specifically on BP values. Although the increases were generally modest, these may play an important role among already susceptible individuals exposed overtime. The effect of SW was more consistent for SBP, which has a major impact on CVD risk. Hence, occupational health services should embrace a holistic CVD preventive approach including atypical risk factors such as SW, with active monitoring across the lifespan of more vulnerable workers.


Author(s):  
Kaitlin M. Gallagher ◽  
Laura Cameron ◽  
Diana De Carvalho ◽  
Madison Boulé

Objective To compare the impact of multiple computer monitor configurations on health and performance outcomes compared to the use of a single monitor. Background Multiple monitor configurations are used in office settings to promote increased productivity by providing more screen space; however, it is unknown if there are health-related trade-offs to increased productivity. Method A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement guidelines and adapted the best evidence synthesis. Results Eighteen studies were included in our review. There was strong evidence that implementing dual monitors is in line with users’ preference. There was also moderate evidence for controlled laboratory studies demonstrating that multiple monitors may increase task efficiency with decreased desktop interaction; however, implementing multiple monitors may also result in nonneutral neck postures for users. Conclusion More research needs to be conducted on biomechanical exposures when using larger displays. Longitudinal field studies should be conducted to determine the influence of monitor interventions on health, productivity, and well-being. All studies must consider task complexity and user positioning and should measure health and productivity outcomes together. Researchers must also consider up-to-date purchasing trends when choosing the monitor configurations and sizes for their studies. Application Regulatory bodies and practitioners can use the results to develop evidence-based monitor guidelines and inform decision-making in practice, respectively. Researchers can use this information to design future studies on monitor configurations that incorporate current purchasing trends.


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