Shiftwork and decline in endothelial function among police officers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Endothelial Function

Background:

• Shiftwork is prevalent in occupations like policing.
• Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of cardiovascular disease.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated the impact of specific shift schedules on endothelial function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal effects of different shiftwork schedules (day, afternoon, night) on endothelial function in police officers.
• To determine if gender modifies the relationship between shiftwork and changes in endothelial function.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study of 188 police officers, assessing shiftwork objectively via payroll records.
• Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measured via ultrasound to assess endothelial function.
• Statistical analysis (ANOVA/ANCOVA) compared mean FMD% changes between 2004-2009 and 2010-2015 across shift groups, adjusting for risk factors.

Main Results:

• Overall mean FMD% significantly decreased over an average of 7 years (5.74% to 3.88%).
• Gender significantly modified the effect of shiftwork on FMD% decline.
• Male officers working day shifts experienced a smaller FMD% decrease (-0.89%) compared to those on afternoon (-2.69%) or night shifts (-2.31%).

Conclusions:

• Male police officers engaged in afternoon or night shiftwork exhibit accelerated declines in endothelial function.
• These findings highlight potential cardiovascular risks associated with non-day shift work for men.
• Further research is recommended to explore mechanisms and interventions to mitigate these risks.