Two new studies provide insight into the toll that night shift work takes on the body.
Researchers at the University College of Medical Sciences in Delhi compared the fasting insulin and triglyceride levels of healthcare employees ages 20 to 40 who had worked more than four night shifts per month against those who had not done night shift work in the last year, or possibly ever.
Published in Experimental Physiology, the study showed that night shift work has a negative impact on the way fat is broken down and sugar is utilized in the body, leading to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
In a separate study published in Occupational Medicine, researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China analyzed 21 investigations with more than 320,000 participants, including nearly 20,000 cases of coronary artery disease. They found that night shift workers are 13% more likely to develop the condition compared to daytime workers, and their risk of contracting heart disease increases 1% annually.
To lower the risks for night shift workers, employers should pay attention to staff who may be experiencing symptoms of heart problems, as well as those with a family history of heart disease.
They also could provide workers with information on preventing and dealing with heart disease, according to the lead study author.
From the May 1, 2019 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
