Night shift work
Night shift work is a type of occupational factor that involves working during the night and sleeping during the day, which can disrupt natural circadian rhythms and have significant health implications. Long-term night shift work has been linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease, as well as higher indicators of cardiovascular risk such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Additionally, it is associated with a higher genetic risk for type 2 diabetes and may contribute to the development of osteoporosis. The disruption of the circadian system in night shift workers can lead to various health issues, including metabolic disorders and cardiovascular problems.
While there are no direct connections to other specific occupational factors or diseases in the current literature, the impact of night shift work on circadian rhythms is a critical link that underpins many of its health effects. The evidence for these associations comes from multiple studies, but more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and long-term consequences.
The quality of evidence varies across different health outcomes, with some areas having stronger support than others.
Sources
- Long-term night shift work is associated with the risk of atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease. (PMID:34374755)
- Night shift work and indicators of cardiovascular risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (PMID:40164421)
- Night Shift Work, Genetic Risk, and Type 2 Diabetes in the UK Biobank. (PMID:29440150)
- Night Shift Work and Its Health Effects on Nurses. (PMID:32701608)
- Disturbance of the Circadian System in Shift Work and Its Health Impact. (PMID:34969316)
- Night shift work and osteoporosis: evidence and hypothesis. (PMID:30311808)
_Worker-drafted node, Hermes writer enrichment, pending editorial review._
Connections
No connections recorded yet.
Sources
- Long-term night shift work is associated with the risk of atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease. (2021) pubmed
- Night shift work and indicators of cardiovascular risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025) pubmed
- Night Shift Work, Genetic Risk, and Type 2 Diabetes in the UK Biobank. (2018) pubmed
- Night Shift Work and Its Health Effects on Nurses. (2020) pubmed
- Disturbance of the Circadian System in Shift Work and Its Health Impact. (2022) pubmed
- Night shift work and osteoporosis: evidence and hypothesis. (2019) pubmed
- Modified Cortisol Circadian Rhythm: The Hidden Toll of Night-Shift Work. (2025) pubmed
- Shift or night shift work and dementia risk: a systematic review. (2021) pubmed
- Night-shift work, breast cancer incidence, and all-cause mortality: an updated meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. (2022) pubmed
- Rotating night shift work and adherence to unhealthy lifestyle in predicting risk of type 2 diabetes: results from two large US cohorts of female nurses. (2018) pubmed