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Effect of shift work on endothelial function in young cardiology trainees.
Pierpaolo Tarzia1, Maria Milo, Antonino Di Franco
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
|September 9, 2011
Summary
Working a night shift slightly impairs endothelial function in healthy medical residents, potentially increasing cardiovascular risk. This effect is linked to circadian rhythm disruption, not sleep duration or work experience.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Long-term shift work (SW) is linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Endothelial dysfunction is a potential mechanism for SW-related cardiovascular risk.
- The immediate impact of SW on endothelial function in healthy individuals remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate effect of a working night (WN) on endothelial function in healthy cardiology trainees.
- To compare endothelial function after a WN versus a restful night (RN).
Main Methods:
- Studied 20 healthy cardiology trainees (27.3 ± 1.9 years).
- Assessed endothelial function via flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery.
- Measured endothelium-independent function using nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD).
Main Results:
- Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was significantly lower after a WN (8.02 ± 1.4%) compared to RN (8.56 ± 1.7%, p=0.025).
- Nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD) showed no significant difference between WN and RN (p=0.48).
- The FMD difference was not affected by sleep duration or months of nocturnal work.
Conclusions:
- Healthy medical residents exhibit slightly impaired FMD after a working night.
- Disruption of circadian rhythms is the likely cause of this adverse vascular effect.
- This finding suggests a potential mechanism for increased cardiovascular risk associated with shift work.
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