The Association Between Shift Work and Lipid Health in Chinese Railway Workers: A Longitudinal Analysis of 6 Years

This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal association between shift work and lipid health among railway workers.

Data from 1126 railway workers with at least two physical examinations from 2016 to 2021 were retrieved. Records of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were extracted, with dyslipidemia defined by Chinese guidelines. Group-based trajectory model were adopted to identify the trajectory of lipid health. Multinomial logistics regression evaluated the association between shifts and trajectories of lipid health.

Three trajectories of dyslipidemia prevalence were identified: persistently low (40.8%), persistently moderate (34.3%), and persistently high (24.9%). Those on dedicated/pooled charter shifts were more likely be persistently low dyslipidemia prevalence trajectory group (odds ratio = 0.617, 95% confidence interval = 0.408-0.934).

Nonregular day shift work is associated with lower levels of lipid profile and lower risk of lipid abnormalities.