Differences in impact of current and former shift work on cardiovascular risk factors, carotid atherosclerosis, and white matter integrity

• Published in: Sleep advances. 2024, Vol.5 (1), p.zpae056
• Main Authors: Rimmele, David Leander, Petersen, Elina L, Affolderbach, Sarah, Petersen, Marvin, Cheng, Bastian, Mayer, Carola, Nägele, Felix Leonard, Harth, Volker, Terschüren, Claudia, Kühn, Simone, Zeller, Tanja, Gerloff, Christian, Thomalla, Götz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2632-5012; 2632-5012
• DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae056

Abstract Study Objectives The association of shift work (SW) and disrupted circadian rhythm with markers of large artery atherosclerosis and cerebral small vessel disease is uncertain. We aimed to study the separate association of current and former SW with these markers. Methods We included participants from the population-based Hamburg City Health Study. SW was defined by monthly working hours between 06:00 pm and 07:00 am containing night shifts for at least 12 months. Cross-sectional data were obtained from structured questionnaires, laboratory analyses, physical examinations, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and carotid ultrasound. We performed multivariable regression analysis with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and peak-width skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) as dependent variables. Results Three hundred and forty-four current, 238 former, and 7162 never-shift workers were included. The median age was 60 years for both current and former shift workers, and total duration of SW was comparable for the two groups. Current shift workers were less frequently female (27.3% vs. 44.5%; p