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Association Between Types of Shift Work and Physical Health Symptoms, Including Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Sleep
Ji-Soo Jang1, Sung-Kyung Kim, Sangwon Hwang
1From the Department of Physical Therapy, Yonsei University Graduate School, Wonju, Gangwon State, South Korea (J.-S.J., H.-S.J.); Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gangwon State, South Korea (S.-K.K.), Department of Precision Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gangwon State, South Korea (S.H.), Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gangwon State, South Korea (S.H., H.J.); and Department of Physical Therapy, Yonsei University College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Wonju, Gangwon State, South Korea (H.-S.J.).
Objective:
This study examined the associations between different types of shift work and health symptoms, including musculoskeletal symptoms and sleep disturbances, among South Korean workers.
Methods:
Data from 43,011 participants in the Seventh Korean Working Conditions Survey were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each shift type.
Results:
Rotating shift work was significantly associated with low back pain (aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.13-1.52), upper extremity pain (aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14-1.51), and waking up exhausted (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20-1.64). Fixed shift workers had increased risks of anxiety (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.33-2.34) and depression (aOR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.50-2.86).
Conclusions:
Rotating and fixed shift types are associated with adverse health outcomes. These findings support the need for shift type-specific occupational health interventions and policy responses.
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