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Effect of shift work on hypertension: cross sectional study
Jeong Han Yeom1, Chang Sun Sim1, Jiho Lee1
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 877, Bangeojinsunhwando-ro, Dong-gu, Ulsan, 44033 Republic of Korea.
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|April 13, 2017
Summary
Shift work increases hypertension risk. Continuous service over 20 years further elevates this risk, highlighting the occupational health impact of non-traditional work schedules.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Industrial growth necessitates efficient resource management, increasing shift work prevalence.
- Previous research on shift work health effects lacks consistent definitions and control for confounding factors.
- This study specifically investigates the association between shift work and hypertension, minimizing other occupational risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of shift work on hypertension incidence in petrochemical plant workers.
- To address limitations in prior studies by controlling for confounding variables.
- To explore the impact of long-term continuous service on hypertension risk among shift workers.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study of 1,953 male petrochemical plant workers (1,075 shift, 878 day workers) in Ulsan.
- Data collected via medical records and questionnaires from January to December 2014.
- Analysis included basic demographics, occupational history, and physical measurements to control for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Shift workers exhibited a higher odds ratio for developing hypertension compared to day workers (OR=1.31).
- After adjusting for confounding variables, the adjusted odds ratio for hypertension in shift workers was 1.51.
- Workers with over 20 years of continuous service showed a significantly increased odds ratio for hypertension (OR=1.51).
Conclusions:
- Shift work is associated with an elevated risk of hypertension.
- The duration of continuous shift work service is a critical factor in increasing hypertension risk.
- Findings underscore the importance of occupational health strategies for shift workers, particularly those with long service durations.