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Exposure to shift work as a risk factor for diabetes.
Timothy H Monk1, Daniel J Buysse
1Sleep and Chronobiology Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
Journal of Biological Rhythms
|October 18, 2013
Summary
Shift work is linked to a higher risk of self-reported diabetes in older adults. Even after accounting for gender and body mass index (BMI), this association persists, highlighting potential occupational health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Shift work is prevalent across various industries.
- Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health concern, particularly in aging populations.
- Previous research suggests potential links between occupational exposures and chronic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between shift work exposure duration and the prevalence of self-reported diabetes in retired older adults.
- To determine if this association remains significant after adjusting for key demographic and health factors.
Main Methods:
- A telephone survey was conducted with 1111 retired adults aged 65 years and older.
- Participants reported their cumulative years of shift work exposure, categorized into five bins.
- Statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests and odds ratio calculations, were performed to assess the relationship between shift work, diabetes, gender, and body mass index (BMI).
Main Results:
- Individuals with any history of shift work showed a significantly increased proportion of self-reported diabetes compared to those with no shift work exposure (p < 0.001).
- Shift work exposure was independently associated with an increased odds of diabetes (OR ≥ 1.4, p < 0.05), even after adjusting for gender and BMI.
- Shift work exposure demonstrated a significant effect on BMI (p < 0.001), but gender did not show a significant effect on diabetes prevalence (p > 0.50).
Conclusions:
- Exposure to shift work is associated with a higher likelihood of self-reported diabetes among retired older adults.
- Shift work may also influence body mass index, a known risk factor for diabetes.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering occupational exposures in the management and prevention of diabetes in aging populations.
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