Association between shift work and hyperhomocysteinemia in male workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Shift work is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
• Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are implicated in cardiovascular pathology.
• Understanding the link between shift work and homocysteine is crucial for elucidating cardiovascular disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between shift work and plasma homocysteine levels in steel workers.
• To determine if shift work duration influences homocysteine levels.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 431 male steel workers (70 daytime, 361 shift workers).
• Plasma homocysteine levels were measured, with > 15 μmol/L considered elevated.
• Statistical analyses included chi-squared, ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Shift workers with ≥ 10 years of experience had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for hyperhomocysteinemia (adjusted OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.07-3.74).
• Shift workers with < 10 years of experience did not show a significantly increased risk (adjusted OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.50-1.80).

Conclusions:

• Shift work is associated with an increased risk of hyperhomocysteinemia.
• Long-term shift work (≥ 10 years) poses a particularly elevated risk.
• Findings suggest a mechanism linking prolonged shift work to cardiovascular disease risk via homocysteine.