Shift work aggravates metabolic syndrome development among early-middle-aged males with elevated ALT

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Metabolic Health
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing public health concern.
• Elevated alanine aminotransferase (e-ALT) may indicate underlying metabolic dysfunction.
• Shift work is increasingly prevalent and associated with adverse health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the combined effect of shift work and e-ALT on MetS development.
• To assess MetS progression in early middle-aged males over a 5-year period.
• To identify risk factors for MetS in an occupational setting.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational follow-up study using health examination data.
• Enrolled 996 male employees without MetS criteria at baseline.
• Analyzed MetS components, liver enzymes, lifestyle, and workplace factors over 5 years.

Main Results:

• 19.1% had baseline e-ALT; 38.3% experienced rotating shift work (RSW).
• 14.2% developed MetS. Baseline e-ALT and persistent RSW (pRSW) were associated with higher MetS development.
• e-ALT plus pRSW significantly increased MetS risk (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.4-5.3).

Conclusions:

• Early middle-aged males with e-ALT require MetS evaluation and management.
• Long-term RSW impact on MetS development needs assessment for e-ALT positive employees.
• Occupational health strategies should consider shift work's role in MetS for at-risk individuals.