The Effect of Work Shift on Fasting Blood Glucose and Lipid Profiles in Workers in Isfahan City, Iran, during the Years 2014-2015

Abstract

Background: Due to the high prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidemia, which are risk factors for diseases such as metabolic syndrome in today's modern society, especially in the working population, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of shift work on fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles in workers in Isfahan City, Iran, during the years 2014-2015. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 6983 employees referred to labor centers for periodic examinations were entered according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into three groups based on the type of work shift as day, fixed night, and rotate shift workers, and two groups based of type of work as official and non-official workers. The level of blood glucose and lipid profiles [cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)] were evaluated and compared between the groups. Findings: There were no significant differences between three groups according to the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBS), triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein (P > 0.050); but there was a significant difference between the three groups based on the cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (P < 0.001, for both); so that the cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were higher in day shift worker than others. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels was higher in day shift worker than fixed night and rotate shift workers in high sample sizes of workers in Isfahan City.

Keywords

• Shift work
• Blood glucose
• Cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Low-density lipoproteins
• High-density lipoproteins