BACKGROUND: Night work is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms, fatigue, accidents, and chronic disease. Melatonin secretion helps regulate sleep and circadian rhythms. OBJECTIVE: Melatonin, sleep disturbances, and symptoms (sleep, fatigue, mental) were compared among workers on permanent day, swing, and night shifts. METHODS: Urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) was measured in postwork and postsleep samples. Disrupted circadian melatonin production was evaluated using the sleep:work 6-OHMS ratio. Wrist actigraphy characterized light exposures and sleep characteristics. RESULTS: Night workers had altered melatonin, disrupted sleep, and elevated symptom prevalence. Subjects grouped by their sleep:work 6-OHMS ratio rather than shift had even greater symptom prevalence. Risks for two or more symptoms were 3.5 to 8 times greater among workers with sleep:work ratios < or =1 compared to those with ratios >1. CONCLUSIONS: This ratio may help identify workers at increased risk for accidents or injuries.
BACKGROUND: Night work is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms, fatigue, accidents, and chronic disease. Melatonin secretion helps regulate sleep and circadian rhythms. OBJECTIVE:Melatonin, sleep disturbances, and symptoms (sleep, fatigue, mental) were compared among workers on permanent day, swing, and night shifts. METHODS: Urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) was measured in postwork and postsleep samples. Disrupted circadian melatonin production was evaluated using the sleep:work 6-OHMS ratio. Wrist actigraphy characterized light exposures and sleep characteristics. RESULTS: Night workers had altered melatonin, disrupted sleep, and elevated symptom prevalence. Subjects grouped by their sleep:work 6-OHMS ratio rather than shift had even greater symptom prevalence. Risks for two or more symptoms were 3.5 to 8 times greater among workers with sleep:work ratios < or =1 compared to those with ratios >1. CONCLUSIONS: This ratio may help identify workers at increased risk for accidents or injuries.
Authors: James R Hébert; Kathryn L Braun; Joseph Keawe'aimoku Kaholokula; Cheryl A Armstead; James B Burch; Beti Thompson Journal: Prog Community Health Partnersh Date: 2015
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Authors: Michael Wirth; James Burch; John Violanti; Cecil Burchfiel; Desta Fekedulegn; Michael Andrew; Hongmei Zhang; Diane B Miller; James R Hébert; John E Vena Journal: Chronobiol Int Date: 2011-05 Impact factor: 2.877
Authors: Michael Wirth; John E Vena; Emily K Smith; Sarah E Bauer; John Violanti; James Burch Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2012-12-19 Impact factor: 2.214
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