A new study investigated the relationship between shift work patterns, sociodemographic factors, and sleep disorders. They found that shift work, especially night shifts, significantly disrupted sleep, with about a third of all participants reporting at least one sleep disorder. The study also found that demographic factors such as gender, age, and education level influence sleep health.
A new study shows that working night shifts increases the incidence of sleep disorders, especially in young people with low levels of education.
Sleep is important not only for physical and mental health, but also for daytime and neurocognitive function. When people work in shifts (21% of workers in the European Union worked shifts in 2015), their circadian sleep-wake rhythms are often disrupted. Now, Dutch researchers have investigated the relationship between different shift work patterns, sociodemographic factors, and sleep disorders.
“Compared to working regular shifts during the day, working other shift types has been shown to have a higher incidence of sleep disturbances, especially those working rotational or regular night shifts,” GGZ Drenthe said Dr. Marike Lancel, a state mental health researcher.Institute and lead author of the study published in frontiers of psychiatry. “Notably, 51% of those working night shifts tested positive for at least one sleep disorder.”
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“There is a lot of evidence that shift work reduces sleep quality. However, there is little evidence of the impact that different types of shifts have on the prevalence of different sleep disorders and how this varies depending on demographic characteristics. “We know very little about whether they will,” Lancel continued.
To fill these gaps, researchers recruited more than 37,000 participants and provided demographic information indicating their shift work patterns (regular morning, evening, night, or switching between shifts).
They also completed a questionnaire screening on six common sleep disorder categories: insomnia, hypersomnia, parasomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, sleep-related movement disorders, and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders.
Responses suggested that regular night shifts are the most debilitating condition when it comes to sleep. Half of night shift workers reported sleeping less than 6 hours in a 24-hour period, 51% reported one sleep disorder, and 26% reported two or more sleep disorders.
In the overall study population, approximately one-third tested positive for at least one sleep disorder and 12.6% tested positive for two or more sleep disorders.
Demographic factors and sleep health
Researchers also investigated whether demographic factors such as gender, age, and highest level of education influenced sleep health. We also considered whether participants lived alone, with a partner or children, or with others, such as friends or parents.
The results showed that although men slept less than women, sleep problems were more common in women. Age also affected sleep health. Although older participants tended to sleep less, most sleep disorders and their comorbidities were found to be more prevalent in the youngest participant group, those under 30 years of age.
Researchers found a correlation between education level and the likelihood of having disrupted sleep. “The effects of shift work on sleep are most pronounced among young people with low levels of education,” Lancel said. This group had shorter sleep duration and significantly higher prevalence of sleep disorders and their comorbidities.
Night shifts and sleep challenges
Researchers found that some people who work night shifts may have fewer sleep-related problems than others, but for the average night shift worker, this irregular work pattern can lead to less regular sleep-related problems. They said they would be more likely to struggle with healthy sleep. sleep. “People who work night shifts are unlikely to be completely immune to all the negative effects of night shifts, as they remain focused on their day jobs and out of sync with the environment in which they live,” Lancell said. explained.
The researchers also noted that their study had certain limitations. For example, people with sleep disorders may be more likely to participate in studies focused on sleep than people who sleep well. Nevertheless, the authors said their findings may provide important information for employers in occupations where shift work is common. It may also be used to educate strategies on how to best address and reduce the effects of night work and sleep days.
References: “Shift work is associated with widespread sleep disturbances, especially when working at night,” GJ Boersma, T. Mijnster, P. Vantyghem, GA Kerkhof, Marike Lancel, October 17, 2023. frontiers of psychiatry.
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1233640
Source: scitechdaily.com
