Shift work and sleep

Shift work is a way of life for much of the population, increasingly so, as our society becomes much more 24/7.

What are the implications on our health related to shift work? A variety of studies have been conducted and have demonstrated that night shift workers have disturbed sleep and excessive sleepiness related to day time shift workers. These symptoms have been attributed to the fact that workers behavioral sleep-wake schedules are out of phase and often in direct opposition to their endogenous circadian rhythms.

Results from a usa study suggested that the prevalence of insomnia or excessive sleepiness is 32% and 26% in night and rotating shift workers, respectively.
The researchers also concluded (as other studies have) that circadian rhythm and other
sleep disorders are more prevalent in night-shift workers compared with day workers and that insomnia, excessive sleepiness, and circadian rhythm disorders are associated with significant
morbidity (accidents and absenteeism) in shift-work samples.

The researchers also looked at the risk for heart disease. The findings indicate a risk related to shift work although it is not specific to insomnia or excessive sleepiness symptoms.
This effect remained significant after controlling for additional risk factors (body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, alcohol intake and diabetes, P < .05). This finding is consistent
with previous research that has shown an increased risk for cardiovascular
disease in shift workers compared with day workers.

For many of us that work in the sleep disorders field the irony is that shift work is part and parcel of the job.

Jessica