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Occupational Risk for Coronary Artery Disease in Shift Workers - A Systematic Review
Gabriele D'Ettorre1, Prisco Piscitelli2, Vincenza Pellicani3
1ASL Lecce.
La Medicina Del Lavoro
|April 30, 2024
Summary
Shift workers face a higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) due to prolonged exposure to non-traditional schedules. Increased shift work duration correlates with greater CAD risk and more severe atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally.
- Shift workers (SWs) exhibit a higher risk of CAD compared to non-shift workers, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Understanding the specific risks associated with shift work is crucial for effective CAD prevention strategies.
Approach:
- A systematic literature review was conducted.
- Searches were performed in MEDLINE/PubMed databases from January 2013 to December 2023.
- Additional studies were identified through reference lists of relevant papers.
Key Points:
- Fifteen studies were analyzed, focusing on risk assessment and management.
- Shift work, particularly night shifts, is associated with an increased risk of CAD.
- A dose-response relationship exists: longer duration of shift work correlates with higher CAD risk.
Conclusions:
- Shift workers are at increased risk of CAD, primarily through the atherosclerotic process.
- Greater exposure to shift work leads to a higher prevalence and severity of coronary artery plaques.
- Evidence supports developing guidelines for CAD risk reduction in SWs and managing CAD patients returning to shift work.
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