Shift workers' mortality scrutinized

The objective of this article is to reappraise previous published data on the mortality of male shift workers from Taylor and Pocock (1972). Mortality rate ratios were calculated for shift workers, ex-shift workers, and for shift workers plus ex-shift workers, respectively, compared to day workers using the Mantel-Haenszel method. The overall risk for current and former shift workers was 1.05 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.95-1.16). For ex-shift workers the mortality was increased compared to day workers (1.24, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.03-1.51). In the age specific analyses increased mortality was observed in shift workers compared with day workers in the age group of 45-54 yrs (Relative Risk: 1.47, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.12-1.93). We suggest that shift work is associated with increased mortality risk.