impact of shift work on the physical health

Last reviewed 01/2018

impact of shift work on the physical health

Effects of shift work on human health and well being is present at both social and psychophysical levels. It is usually associated with:

• sleep/wake cycle and circadian rhythms disturbances
  
  

• health risks associated with shift work

  Cardiovascular disease

  • shift work is associated with myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke
  • highest risk was seen with night shift while evening shift work was not significantly related to coronary heart disease
  • furthermore several major cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, and dyslipidemia are, in many cases, more prevalent among shift workers than among day workers
    
    

  Metabolic disorder

  • increased risk of becoming overweight and obese  (both general and abdominal)
  • increased risk of type 2 diabetes
    
    

  Cancer

  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has reported that shift work involving night work and circadian disruption probably increases the risk for breast cancer
  • limited evidence exist linking long exposure to night work (>20 years) with elevated level of breast cancer
  • more research is needed in this area
    
    

  Women’s reproductive function

  • higher incidence of altered menstrual cycle, prementrual syndrome, and menstrual pains has been reported in many groups of women shift workers
  • some studies have reported a higher incidence of miscarriage and impaired fetal development, including pre-term birth and low birth weight
    
    

  Gastrointestinal

  • in shift workers intake of total energy is not modified significantly, however there is a change in the time, frequency (i.e. nibbling) of eating and, sometimes, the content of meals (more fats and carbohydrates in many cases), often being taken cold and during short breaks (snacking)
  • GI disturbances may vary from alterations in bowel habits (mainly constipation), difficulties in digestion, flatulence, and pyrosis, to more severe disorders such as gastroduodenitits, peptic ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome
    
    

  Social problems

  • shift work directly interferes with family and social life which may result in psychological stress and psychosomatic disorders 
  • may have a negative effect on marital relationships, parental roles and children's education in addition to the increasing sleep problems, chronic fatigue, and psychosomatic complaints
    
    

• disturbances in  psycho-physical homeostasis
  
  
• human errors, and consequent work accidents and injuries

Reference:

• (1) Kecklund G, Axelsson J. Health consequences of shift work and insufficient sleep. BMJ. 2016;355:i5210.  
• (2) Giovanni Costa. Shift Work and Health: Current Problems and Preventive Actions. Saf Health Work. 2010; 1(2): 112–123.