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Shift work, inflammation and musculoskeletal pain-The HUNT Study
D Matre1, J O Christensen1, P J Mork2
1Division of Research, National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo 0033, Norway.
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)
|September 22, 2021
Summary
Shift work is linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain. This study found that C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, may mediate this association, suggesting a biological pathway for pain development.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pain Research
- Inflammation Biology
Background:
- Shift work, particularly night shifts, is linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain.
- Sleep disturbances common in shift work may increase inflammation and pain sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine associations between shift work, C-reactive protein (CRP), and chronic musculoskeletal pain.
- Investigate CRP as a mediator in the relationship between shift work and chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 23,223 vocationally active adults from the HUNT4 Survey.
- Data collected via questionnaires, interviews, biological samples, and clinical examination.
- Regression analyses and mediation analysis used to assess relationships.
Main Results:
- Shift work associated with increased odds of chronic musculoskeletal pain (OR 1.11).
- Shift work linked to higher CRP levels (OR 1.09).
- Elevated CRP (3.00-10 mg/L) associated with chronic pain (OR 1.38); CRP mediated the shift work-pain link (OR 1.03).
Conclusions:
- Findings support shift work as a risk factor for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
- Systemic inflammation, indicated by CRP, may be a key biological mechanism linking shift work to pain.
