Research Plus

Shiftwork adds to risk of metabolic syndrome

Middle-aged male manufacturing workers are at greatest risk of metabolic syndrome if they have elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and work rotating shifts. A total of 996 workers were divided into four subgroups, depending on their exposure to rotating shiftwork and elevated serum ALT. Male workers with elevated baseline ALT and five-year exposures to shiftwork had significantly raised hyperglycaemia (+15%), hypertriglyceridaemia (+21%) and blood pressure (+31%). They also had the highest rate of metabolic syndrome: 37% prevalence, compared with 11% in the lowest exposure-risk group.

World Journal of Gastroenterology 2009; 15(45): 5654–5661. http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/abstract_en.asp?v=15&f=5654

Tags evidence based practice shiftwork

Occupational Health at Work February/March 2010 (vol. 06/5) pp40