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Sleep and wake disorders in shift workers. Part I: Prevalence, clinical phenomena and pathogenesis
J D Roeck1, M V Steenkiste1, R Cluydts1
1Centrum voor Klinisch Slaaponderzoek en Dienst Psychiatrie,Universitair Ziekenhuis en Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen.
Acta Neuropsychiatrica
|March 9, 2016
Summary
Shift work disrupts sleep patterns, causing insomnia and excessive sleepiness in over half of workers, primarily due to circadian rhythm disruption. Some workers develop
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Occupational Health
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Shift work affects a significant portion of the workforce globally.
- Disrupted sleep-wake cycles are common among shift workers.
- Understanding the health impacts of shift work is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence of sleep and wake disorders in shift workers.
- To describe the clinical phenomena and pathogenesis of these disorders.
- To identify factors contributing to shift work disorder.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on shift workers.
- Analysis of prevalence data for sleep disorders.
- Examination of etiological factors, including circadian disruption.
Main Results:
- Insomnia and hyper-somnolence affect over 50% of shift workers, particularly those on night shifts.
- Circadian rhythm disruption is the primary cause of these sleep disorders.
- Over 20% of shift workers experience severe issues, leading to 'shift maladaptation syndrome'.
Conclusions:
- Shift work is strongly associated with significant sleep and wake disturbances.
- Circadian rhythm disruption is a key factor in shift worker sleep disorders.
- Shift maladaptation syndrome represents a failure to adapt to rotating schedules, impacting health.
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