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Sleep Disturbances and Metabolic Syndrome in Shift Workers: A Systematic Review
1Research Institute of Nursing Innovation, College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders
|September 10, 2025
Summary
Shift work disrupts sleep, increasing metabolic syndrome risk. Reduced sleep quantity, not just quality, is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome in shift workers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Poor sleep is a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome.
- Shift workers face heightened risks due to disrupted and misaligned sleep patterns.
- The relationship between shift work, sleep disturbances, and metabolic syndrome requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the pathways linking shift work, sleep disturbances, and metabolic syndrome.
- To critically appraise existing research on this interplay.
- To identify knowledge gaps and inform future research and occupational health strategies.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across major databases and journals.
- Systematic screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts by two independent reviewers.
- Methodological quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
Main Results:
- 15 studies (37,147 participants) met inclusion criteria, showing a link between shift work and sleep disturbances.
- Shift work, especially fixed night shifts, is associated with increased metabolic syndrome risk, particularly with longer exposure.
- Reduced sleep quantity demonstrated a stronger association with metabolic syndrome than impaired sleep quality.
Conclusions:
- A consistent association exists between shift work, sleep disturbances, and metabolic syndrome.
- Shift work independently affects both sleep health and metabolic outcomes.
- Further longitudinal studies and targeted interventions are needed to clarify causal links and guide occupational health practices.
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