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Collecting Hair Samples for Hair Cortisol Analysis in African Americans
Published on: June 10, 2018
The relationships of shift work, hair cortisol concentration and dyslipidaemia: a cohort study in China
Lejia Zhu1, Yu Zhang1, Lin Song1
1Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Se Yuan Road, No. 9, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
Insights
Shift work increases dyslipidaemia risk, with hair cortisol concentration (HCC) mediating this effect. Higher HCC levels are linked to a greater prevalence of dyslipidaemia in shift workers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death globally.
- Dyslipidaemia is a significant, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Previous research on shift work, dyslipidaemia, and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has produced conflicting findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between shift work, dyslipidaemia, and HCC.
- To explore the potential mediating role of HCC in the relationship between shift work and dyslipidaemia.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 2170 participants (1348 shift workers, 822 non-shift workers) followed for 6 years.
- Hair samples analyzed for HCC using automated radioimmunoassay in 340 participants.
- Dyslipidaemia diagnosed based on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.
Main Results:
- Shift workers exhibited a significantly higher risk of dyslipidaemia compared to fixed day shift workers.
- Shift workers presented with elevated HCC levels.
- A positive association was observed between high HCC levels and the incidence of dyslipidaemia.
Conclusions:
- Shift work is associated with an increased risk of developing dyslipidaemia.
- Elevated HCC levels correlate with a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia.
- HCC significantly mediates the relationship between shift work and dyslipidaemia, accounting for 16.24% of the effect.
Background:
Currently, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, and dyslipidaemia is an independent and modifiable major risk factor. Previous studies on shift work with dyslipidaemia and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between shift work, dyslipidaemia, and HCC. We further explored the mediating effect of HCC.
Methods:
In this cohort study, baseline data were collected from participants in May 2013. The cohort included 2170 participants- 1348 shift workers and 822 non-shift workers- who were followed up for 6 years with four questionnaire surveys from July 2014, October 2015, and May to December 2019. Hair samples were collected from 340 participants during the baseline period for HCC testing with an automated radioimmunoassay. Dyslipidaemia was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III diagnostic criteria.
Results:
Shift workers had a higher risk of dyslipidaemia than workers on the fixed day shift (two-shift RR = 1.408, 95% CI: 1.102-1.798; three-shift RR = 1.478, 95% CI: 1.134-1.926; four-shift RR = 1.589, 95% CI: 1.253-2.015). Additionally, shift workers had higher HCC levels than fixed day shift workers, with geometric mean concentration (GMC) ± geometric standard difference (GSD) = 2.625 ± 2.012 ng/g, two-shift GMC ± GSD = 3.487 ± 1.930 ng/g, three-shift GMC ± GSD = 2.994 ± 1.813 ng/g, and four-shift GMC ± GSD = 3.143 ± 1.720 ng/g. High HCC was associated with a high incidence of dyslipidaemia. After controlling for confounding factors, this study showed that HCC played a role in mediating dyslipidaemia in shift workers and accounted for 16.24% of the effect.
Conclusions:
Shift work was linked to increased risk of dyslipidaemia compared with fixed day shift work. Higher HCC was associated with a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia. HCC had a significant mediating effect on dyslipidaemia in shift workers.
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