Cardiovascular Health Effects of Shift Work with Long Working Hours and Night Shifts: Study Protocol for a Three-Year Prospective Follow-Up Study on Industrial Workers

Lars-Kristian Lunde, Øivind Skare, Asgeir Mamen, Per Anton Sirnes, Hans C. D. Aass, Reidun Øvstebø, Elisabeth Goffeng, Dagfinn Matre, Pia Nielsen, Hanne Siri Amdahl Heglum, Stine Eriksen Hammer and Marit Skogstad
Additional contact information
Lars-Kristian Lunde: Department for Work Psychology and Physiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 5330 Majorstuen, 0304 Oslo, Norway
Øivind Skare: Department Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 5330 Majorstuen, 0304 Oslo, Norway
Asgeir Mamen: Kristiania University College, School of Health Sciences, Box 1190 Sentrum, 0107 Oslo, Norway
Per Anton Sirnes: Østlandske Hjertesenter, Lilleeng Helsepark, Lillengvn 8, 1523 Moss, Norway
Hans C. D. Aass: The Blood Cell Research Group, Section of Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, 0450 Oslo, Norway
Reidun Øvstebø: The Blood Cell Research Group, Section of Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, 0450 Oslo, Norway
Elisabeth Goffeng: Department Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 5330 Majorstuen, 0304 Oslo, Norway
Dagfinn Matre: Department for Work Psychology and Physiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 5330 Majorstuen, 0304 Oslo, Norway
Pia Nielsen: Ringvoll Occupational Health Service, Lilleeng veien 8, 1523 Moss, Norway
Hanne Siri Amdahl Heglum: SINTEF, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7067 Trondheim, Norway
Stine Eriksen Hammer: Department of Chemical and Biological Work Environment, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 5330 Majorstuen, 0304 Oslo, Norway
Marit Skogstad: Department Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 5330 Majorstuen, 0304 Oslo, Norway

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: There is a plausible association between shift work and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which may be due to disruption of the circadian rhythm causing hormonal changes and metabolic disturbances, resulting in high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and being overweight. However, few studies have investigated the association between several consecutive long work shifts, including night shifts, and risk factors for developing CVD. Moreover, knowledge is lacking on factors that may modify or enhance this suggested relationship. The study period is planned from the third quarter of 2018 to the fourth quarter of 2021, and will involve 125 industrial employees at two Norwegian enterprises producing insulation. The work schedule is either rotating shiftwork (morning, evening, night) or regular day work. At baseline, we will measure blood parameters, including markers of inflammation, lipids, and glycosylated hemoglobin. We will also collect measures of blood pressure, resting heart rate, arterial stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness, and aerobic fitness. At the end of baseline data collection, a subgroup will undergo a supervised high-intensity interval training intervention for eight weeks, initiated by the Occupational Health Service. At one-year follow-up, we repeat baseline measures with added measures of heart rate variability and additional five weeks monitoring of sleep and physical activity, and assessment of respirable dust. At the two year follow-up, we will measure CVD risk factors before and after a planned three-month shutdown in one of the studied plants. We will also assess respirable dust, monitor sleep, and compile a one-year retrospective detailed overview of working hours. A final data collection, similar to the one at baseline, will be carried out after three years. We will use a comprehensive set of methods to identify the effects of shift work with long working hours and night shifts on cardiovascular health. This will provide new knowledge on the association between early manifestations of CVD and occupational exposure to shift work. Further, we can study whether work organization such as extensive overtime, sleep loss, and dust exposure have detrimental effects, and if a three-month cease in shift work or increased physical activity will modify early manifestations of CVD.

Keywords: biomarkers of inflammation; cardiovascular disease; arterial stiffness; carotid intima-media thickness; disease prevention; shift work; occupational; health promotion; physical activity; sleep deprivation; work organization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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