Ann Occup Environ Med.  2019 ;31(1):e1. 10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e1.

Association between shift work and hyperhomocysteinemia in male workers

• Kang D
• Kang SK
• Choi WJ
• Lee SH
• Lee JH
• Kwak K

• KMID: 2466045
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e1

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Shift work is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Here, we sought to assess the relationship between shift work and plasma homocysteine levels. Determining the correlations between shift work and homocysteine levels may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases.
METHODS
This study was performed using data from routine health examinations of steel workers in 2017. In total, 431 male workers (70 daytime workers and 361 shift workers) employed on a rolling departure schedule were recruited. Plasma homocysteine levels > 15 μmol/L were considered elevated. The χ2, analysis of variance, and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between shift work and plasma homocysteine levels.
RESULTS
In comparison to daytime workers, the odds ratio (OR) of hyperhomocysteinemia in individuals with < 10 years of shift work was 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-2.03), compared to 2.01 (95% CI: 1.14-3.54) for workers with ≥ 10 years of experience. After adjusting for confounding variables, the adjusted OR for shift workers with < 10 years of experience was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.50-1.80), compared to 2.00 (95% CI: 1.07-3.74) for workers with ≥ 10 years of experience.
CONCLUSIONS
The risk of hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly higher in shift workers compared to those working normal daytime hours, particularly among long-term shift workers.

Keyword

Shift work; Homocysteine; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Cardiovascular disease

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules
Cardiovascular Diseases
Confounding Factors (Epidemiology)
Homocysteine
Humans
Hyperhomocysteinemia*
Logistic Models
Male*
Odds Ratio
Plasma
Steel
Homocysteine
Steel