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Health disorders of shift workers
1Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, Public Health, Mid Sweden University, 851 70 Sundsvall, Sweden. anders.knutsson@mh.se
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)
|March 15, 2003
Summary
Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms and is linked to health problems. This review highlights strong evidence connecting night or shift work to peptic ulcer disease, coronary heart disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Chronobiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Shift work is known to disrupt circadian rhythms, affecting physiological functions.
- Beyond physiological disruption, shift work is increasingly associated with specific pathological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the scientific evidence linking shift work and night work to specific medical conditions.
- To identify the pathological disorders with the strongest association with non-traditional work schedules.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating the health effects of shift work.
- Analysis of epidemiological and clinical data on shift workers and disease prevalence.
Main Results:
- The strongest evidence indicates a link between shift work and peptic ulcer disease.
- Shift work is also associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
- Compromised pregnancy outcomes are another significant health concern linked to shift work.
Conclusions:
- Shift work poses risks beyond circadian disruption, contributing to specific diseases.
- Occupational health strategies should address the identified risks associated with shift and night work.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate mechanisms and develop preventative measures.