The relationship between shift work pattern and thyroid stimulating hormone in female workers

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Occupational Health
• Chronobiology

Background:

• Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, impacting physical and mental health.
• Previous studies suggest a link between shift work and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
• Limited research exists on TSH level variations across different shift work schedules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between shift work type and TSH levels.
• To assess the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism in different shift work patterns.

Main Methods:

• 1,318 female workers' medical data (2015-2019) were analyzed.
• Shift work categorized as non-shift, regular 2 shifts, or irregular 3 shifts.
• Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE) used to compare subclinical hypothyroidism risk over 5 years.

Main Results:

• Shift work was associated with a higher risk of subclinical hypothyroidism.
• Irregular three-shift workers showed a significantly higher risk (OR=2.02) compared to non-shift workers.
• Two-shift workers also had an increased risk (OR=1.81) versus non-shift workers.

Conclusions:

• Shift work type is a significant factor in subclinical hypothyroidism risk.
• Findings suggest incorporating shift work details into thyroid function assessments.
• Further research may inform targeted interventions for shift workers' thyroid health.