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Health Effect of Shift Work and Long Working Hours

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Occupational Safety and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 March 2023) | Viewed by 17652

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mo-Yeol Kang

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Guest Editor

Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
Interests: labor productivity; aging worker; long working hours; shift work; physical inactivity; cardiovascular disease; occupational cancer

Prof. Dr. Tae-Won Jang

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul 04763, Korea
Interests: long working hours; shift work; physical activity; sleep disorder; circadian rhythm; cardiovascular disease
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Dr. Hye-Eun Lee

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Assistant Guest Editor

Korea Institute of Labor Safety and Health, Seoul 07023, Korea
Interests: working hours; shift work, precarious work; health inequality; occupational cancer; mental health

Dr. Dong-Wook Lee

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Interests: occupational and environmental medicine; long working hours; labor economics; psychosocial factor; occupational psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue on the health effects shift work and long working hours in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The venue is a peer-reviewed, scientific journal that publishes articles and communications in the interdisciplinary area of environmental health sciences and public health. For detailed information about the journal, we refer you to https://0-www-mdpi-com.brum.beds.ac.uk/journal/ijerph.

Modern society is a 24/7 society, and many people work shifts. Shift work induces circadian rhythm disruption, causing a variety of health problems: sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, mental health problems, and so on. The best method to prevent the health hazards caused by shift work is to avoid shift work. However, firefighters and police officers are forced to work shifts to prepare for fires and accidents, hospitals should be open 24 hours a day for emergent patients, and some workers are engaged with shift work to do their jobs. It is impossible to avoid shift work, so it is very important to prevent health hazards for shift workers and improve their health. We recommend that that shift work is optimized for the workers and suggest proper management methods to prevent health hazards caused by shift work. This Special Issue emphasizes the health effects of shift work and discusses and shares the management methods of shift workers.

Meanwhile, the adverse effect of working hours on health has been a major topic for the well-being of workers. So, the influence of working hours on health has gained global attention from the perspectives of research and public health policy. Several studies have investigated the health effects of working hours and found that long working hours are associated with a variety of health problems, including unhealthy lifestyle, musculoskeletal disorders, work injuries, hypertension, diabetes, depression and suicide ideation, sleep problems, and renal functions. However, there is still a lack of conclusive evidence on some health consequences of long working hours that limit the generalizability of the findings. So, it seems important to conduct further study on the various health effects of long working hours in order to better understand underlying mechanisms and proper preventive strategies. Therefore, this Special Issue will also cover the health effects of long working hours and discuss and share the associated management methods.

This Special Issue is open to any subject area related to physiological change, health hazards, and the management of shift work and long working hours. In addition to the keywords listed, you are welcome to submit your articles about a variety of topics related to shift work and long working hours.

Dr. Mo-Yeol Kang
Prof. Dr. Tae-Won Jang
Dr. Hye-Eun Lee
Dr. Dong-Wook Lee
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

shift work
night work
long working hours
overtime work
overwork
shift work sleep disorders
cardiovascular diseases
gastrointestinal disorders
shift work and cancers
mental health
metabolic syndrome and obesity
women’s reproductive health
ergonomic design of shift work
circadian rhythm
health of firefighters, police officers, and hospital workers
medical examination and management
productivity

Related Special Issue

Health Effects and Management of Shift Work in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (20 articles)

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

7 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Which Shiftwork Pattern Is the Strongest Predictor for Poor Sleep Quality in Nurses?

by Kampanat Wangsan, Naesinee Chaiear, Kittisak Sawanyawisuth, Piyanee Klainin-Yobas, Kanjana Simajareuk and Watchara Boonsawat

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13986; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192113986 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1374

Abstract

Shiftwork is related to an increased risk of several diseases, including gastric ulcers, myocardial infarction, and diabetes. Several shiftwork patterns are related to poor sleep quality, such as a quick returns or extended shifts. This study aimed to find the shiftwork patterns strongly associated with poor sleep quality amongst nurses. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among nurses working for at least one month. The sub-groups were the good sleep quality group (n = 150) and the poor sleep quality group (n = 472). Eligible participants were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire comprising personal characteristics, job characteristics, shiftwork characteristics, and sleep quality. Factors associated with poor sleep quality were determined using logistic regression analysis. Two factors associated with poor sleep quality remained in the final model: viz., depression and backward rotational shift. The only independent factor for poor sleep quality was a backward rotational shift with an adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of 1.946 (1.344, 2.871). In conclusion, compared with other shift patterns, backward shiftwork was the most significant factor associated with poor sleep quality and should be avoided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effect of Shift Work and Long Working Hours)

11 pages, 937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long Working Hours and the Risk of Glucose Intolerance: A Cohort Study

by Yesung Lee, Eunhye Seo and Woncheol Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11831; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191811831 - 19 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1420

Abstract

Long working hours have negative effects on the health of workers. Several studies have reported the association between long working hours and both diabetes and prediabetes. Therefore, we aimed to examine the temporal relationship between long working hours and glucose intolerance. Our cohort study collected data from 25,803 healthy male participants at baseline. To evaluate the risk of incident glucose intolerance, we estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. During 77,605.0 person-years of follow-up, 6741 participants developed glucose intolerance. Multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for weekly working 41–52 and >52 h compared with working 35–40 h, were 1.28 (1.17–1.40) and 2.80 (2.54–3.09), respectively. In the dose-response analyses, long working hours had a nearly linear relationship with the development of glucose intolerance across most working hours per week. The association between long working hours and incident glucose intolerance was stronger in the younger-age subgroups than in the older-age subgroups (p for interaction <0.001). Our large-scale cohort study demonstrated that long working hours were associated with incident glucose intolerance, with a dose-response relationship. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effect of Shift Work and Long Working Hours)

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18 pages, 1011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of 90 Min Napping on Fatigue and Associated Environmental Factors among Nurses Working Long Night Shifts: A Longitudinal Observational Study

by Kazuhiro Watanabe, Naotaka Sugimura, Inaho Shishido, Issei Konya, Shinya Yamaguchi and Rika Yano

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9429; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19159429 - 01 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3012

Abstract

For nurses working long night shifts, it is imperative that they have the ability to take naps to reduce fatigue, and that an appropriate environment is prepared where such naps can be taken. We verified the effects of 90 min napping on fatigue and the associated factors among nurses working 16-h night shifts. We investigated 196-night shifts among 49 nurses for one month. Wearable devices, data logging devices, and questionnaires were used to assess nap parameters, fatigue, and environmental factors such as the napping environment, ways of spending breaks, and working environment. Nurses who nap at least 90 min on most night shifts had more nursing experience. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the environmental factors significantly associated with total nap duration (TND) ≥ 90 min were noise, time spent on electronic devices such as cellphones and tablets during breaks, and nap break duration. The night shifts with TND ≥ 90 min showed lower drowsiness after nap breaks and less fatigue at the end of night shift compared to those with TND < 90 min. Nurses and nursing managers should recognize the importance of napping and make adjustments to nap for at least 90 min during long night shifts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effect of Shift Work and Long Working Hours)

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14 pages, 868 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shiftwork Is Associated with Higher Food Insecurity in U.S. Workers: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study (NHANES)

by Maximilian Andreas Storz, Gianluca Rizzo and Mauro Lombardo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2847; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19052847 - 01 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2895

Abstract

The number of shift workers has increased substantially within the last decades to keep pace with the increasingly complex societal need for 24 h services. Shift work has been associated with unhealthy lifestyles and a lower overall diet quality. Little is known, however, with regard to food security and consumer behavior in shift workers. The present study sought to address this gap in the literature, exploring a sample of n = 4418 day workers and n = 1065 shift workers in the United States. Using cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES, 2007–2010), we found that shiftwork was associated with a lower amount of money spent on eating out and higher food insecurity issues. Compared to day workers, a higher proportion of shift workers reported receipt of food stamps (12.5% vs. 23.4%, p < 0.001) and worried about running out of food (3.95% vs. 8.05%, p < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjustment for confounders when using multivariate logistic regression. The number of not-home-prepared meals did not differ between both groups. In light of the population health disparities and adverse health outcomes associated with food insecurity, novel strategies are urgently warranted to improve the situation of shift workers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effect of Shift Work and Long Working Hours)

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16 pages, 1392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Stress Salivary Markers, Perceived Stress, and Shift Work in a Cohort of Fishermen: A Preliminary Work

by Roberto Zefferino, Francesca Fortunato, Addolorata Arsa, Sante Di Gioia, Gianfranco Tomei and Massimo Conese

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 699; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19020699 - 08 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1918

Abstract

Due to work-related stress, today, work itself represents a daily challenge that must be faced in many occupations. While, in the past, the scientific community has focused on the helping professions, since, an increasing number of professions have since been investigated. Therefore, different approaches exist in order to assess this disorder, representing a scientific field wherein biological and psychological dimensions both need to be evaluated. In this paper, we consider three biological salivary markers: interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), cortisol, and melatonin. The choice derives from recent contributions to the literature in which the interplay between these markers has been verified. Briefly, such interplay could explain how the central nervous, endocrine, and immune systems communicate with each other, supporting a holistic concept of person. In 30 marine fishermen from the Apulia region of Italy, perceived stress was measured using the Professional Stress Scale (PSS) and sleep disturbances were assessed through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Salivary markers were collected at 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Those subjects reporting sleep disturbance and having altered scores in two PSS subclasses, home–work conflict and self-esteem, presented inverted salivary melatonin and cortisol nictemeral rhythms (with regard to melatonin levels at 8:00 a.m., those workers reporting values higher than the median showed 64.1% versus 48.6% home–work conflict with respect to cortisol levels, subjects having an inverted circadian rhythm showed 69.9% versus 52.5% home–work conflict, and these values resulted 47.7% versus 25.3% when the self-esteem was considered). As regards melatonin, PSQI score is statistically different in the two groups of subjects as identified by median melatonin at 8:00 a.m.; specifically, the subjects who had mean values higher than the median shared higher PSQI scores (10.8 versus 9.8). The same subjects reported more frequent home–work conflict and more sleep disorders. We found a negative correlation between IL-1β at 8:00 a.m. and Cortdiff (the difference between cortisol at 8:00 a.m.–cortisol at 2:00 p.m.), and that high IL-1β at 8:00 a.m. was associated with low Cortdiff. Based on our results we would like to propose this approach in health surveillance, in order to prevent mental and/or physical disorders, however our study is surely preliminary. The interesting perspectives and hypotheses cited in this paper, in which the roles of IL-1β and norepinephrine appear central and important, could remain hypothetical if not supported by more robust observation in order to produce, truly, new knowledge. In the future we will deepen this study with a larger sample, and if these results will be confirmed, this approach could allow preventing, not only mental and physical disorders, but also immuno-mediated diseases, and, perhaps, cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effect of Shift Work and Long Working Hours)

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16 pages, 1504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shift Work Predicts Increases in Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein, Interleukin-10, and Leukocyte Counts in a Cross-Sectional Study of Healthy Volunteers Carrying Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation

by Aisha Q. Atwater, Lilly Cheng Immergluck, Alec J. Davidson and Oscar Castanon-Cervantes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 13158; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182413158 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2890

Abstract

The disruption of inflammatory responses is a potential mechanism behind the harmful effects of shift work and is associated with increased risk of hypertension, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. These responses are linked to the proliferation of leukocytes in shift workers, suggesting a systemic signal as a potential mediator. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between systemic inflammation, leukocyte counts, and systemic endotoxemia in samples from a diverse cohort of day workers and shift workers. Participants (normothermic and normotensive) were healthy volunteers, non-smoking, and drug- and medication-free. The following outcomes were measured: C-reactive protein, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, leukocyte counts (monocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils), and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP). Risk factors that increase systemic inflammation, such as blood pressure, sleep loss, and cortisol, were also assessed. The results indicated that shift workers slept significantly less than day workers and had significantly increased concentrations of all of the cytokines measured as well as plasma cortisol. Regression models found that after controlling for covariates, shift-work exposure predicted the significant increase observed in IL-10, leukocyte counts, and LBP. Our results suggest that acute increases in low-grade systemic endotoxemia are unresolved during chronic shift-work exposure. This ongoing immune challenge may underlie the disrupted inflammatory responses characteristic of shift-work-related pathologies. Systemic endotoxemia may represent a novel target to investigate the early effects of exposure to shift-work schedules. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effect of Shift Work and Long Working Hours)

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10 pages, 375 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Shift Work on Occupational Health Indicators among Professionally Active Adults: A Comparative Study

by Henrique Pereira, Gergely Fehér, Antal Tibold, Samuel Monteiro, Vítor Costa and Graça Esgalhado

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11290; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111290 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2805

Abstract

The analysis of the impact of shift work on occupational health still needs further contributions. Therefore, we developed this research with the purpose of assessing the impact of shift work on occupational health indicators, namely burnout, work-engagement, occupational self-efficacy, and mental health functioning (symptoms of depression and anxiety), by comparing workers who did shift work (44.2% of participants) with workers who did not (55.8% of participants). A total of 695 Portuguese professionally active adults between 18 and 73 years of age (M_age = 37.71; SD = 12.64) participated in this study and completed a survey containing a sociodemographic questionnaire and four occupational health measures: The Burnout Assessment Tool, The Work-Engagement questionnaire (UWES), The Occupational Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and the BSI-18 for mental health symptoms. Results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) for all indicators, demonstrating that participants who worked shifts presented lower scores of work-engagement and occupational self-efficacy, and higher scores of burnout, depression, and anxiety when compared to participants who did not work shifts. Linear regressions showed that shift work explained significant but low percentages of anxiety symptoms, low work-engagement, depression symptoms, low occupational self-efficacy, and burnout. We concluded that non-standard working hours (by shifts) are detrimental to employee occupational health, by increasing the risk of anxiety and depression levels, and burnout, and by reducing work-engagement (as a well-being indicator) and occupational self-efficacy perceptions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effect of Shift Work and Long Working Hours)

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