JOEM: The Association Between Shift Work Exposure (May 2023)-JOEM: The Association Between Shift Work Exposure (MAY 2023

JOEM: The Association Between Shift Work Exposure (MAY 2023

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A study conducted using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging investigated the association between shift work exposure and frailty among middle-aged and older adults. The study included 47,740 individuals aged 45 to 85 years at baseline. Three primary shift work variables were derived: ever exposed to shift work, shift work exposure in longest job, and shift work exposure in current job. The participants were followed up after 3 years to evaluate the association with frailty.<br /><br />The study found that individuals who were ever exposed to shift work were more likely to be frail compared to those who worked only daytime. Specifically, females who worked in rotating shifts during their longest jobs were more likely to be classified as frail compared to those who worked only daytime.<br /><br />Frailty is a medical syndrome characterized by diminished strength, endurance, and reduced physiological function, and it increases an individual's vulnerability to developing increased dependency and/or death. Frail individuals are at a higher risk of premature mortality, institutionalization, and worsening disability. While frailty naturally occurs with age, previous literature has shown that women are more likely to be frail compared to men of the same age.<br /><br />Shift work, which involves any work outside regular daytime hours, has been associated with negative health outcomes such as chronic diseases and mental health disorders. It disrupts circadian rhythms and affects sleep patterns, potentially contributing to the development of frailty. The mechanisms linking shift work to frailty may involve circadian misalignment, disrupted sleep, and hormonal and inflammatory responses.<br /><br />This study provides initial evidence suggesting that shift work exposure may play a role in the development of frailty, particularly in women. Further research is warranted to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to explore potential interventions to mitigate the impact of shift work on frailty.

Keywords

Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

shift work exposure

frailty

middle-aged

older adults

shift work variables

rotating shifts

physiological function

premature mortality

circadian rhythms