Shift Work Is Associated with Adverse Vascular Events

Shift workers experienced more adverse coronary events and myocardial infarctions than non–shift workers.

Shift work (defined as any schedule that deviates from a regular "9-to-5" work day) disrupts circadian rhythms, sleep, and work-life balance. Shift work is associated with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. In this meta-analysis of 34 observational studies (11 prospective, 13 retrospective, and 10 case-control) that involved >2 million people, investigators examined whether shift work is associated with major adverse vascular events.

Shift work was associated with significantly higher risks for adverse coronary events (24%), myocardial infarction (23%), and ischemic stroke (5%). However, shift work was not associated with excess mortality risk. All types of shift work (except for evening shift work) were associated with excess risk for adverse coronary events; overnight shifts were associated with the highest risk. Based on the prevalence of shift work in Canada, the population-attributable risks related to shift work were 7% for myocardial infarction, 7% for adverse coronary events, and 2% for ischemic stroke.

CITATION(S):

Vyas MV et al. Shift work and vascular events: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2012 Jul 26; 345:e4800.