Impact of shift work on sleep problems, hormonal changes, and features of metabolic syndrome in a sample of Egyptian industrial workers: a cross-sectional study

Background The effect of shift work on health is mainly thought to be related to its interference with circadian rhythms with consequence effects on sleep, hormonal balance, and features of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of shift work on sleep problems, hormonal balance, and features of metabolic syndrome (BMI, cardiovascular problems, type II diabetes mellitus) among a sample of Egyptian industrial workers. Patients and methods Participants were 99 male workers (36 morning shift workers, 19 afternoon shift workers, and 44 night shift workers), with an age ranging from 25 to 60 years with fixed shift for at least 2 years. Participants were assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision Diagnostic Criteria for Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder (shift work type), and by using sleep characteristics, and sleep/sleepiness problems items from Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire. Features of metabolic syndrome were obtained (BMI used to assess obesity, history of cardiovascular problems, and type II diabetes mellitus). Blood samples were collected at workplace, and morning samples were examined to detect levels of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, leptin, testosterone, prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Results Sleep problems were higher in night shift workers and they had higher BMI and higher prevalence of type II diabetes and cardiovascular problems than those workers in the morning and afternoon...
Source: Middle East Current Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research