Stress and sleep quality in doctors working on-call shifts are associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders

World J Gastroenterol. 2017 May 14;23(18):3330-3337. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i18.3330.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the role of sleep quality and psychosocial problems as predictors of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in doctors that work 24 hour-on-call shifts.

Methods: In this cross-sectional observation study, using the Rome III Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), we analyzed 170 doctors with 24 hour-on-call shifts.

Results: Among the participants that had experienced a 24 hour-on-call shift within the last 6 mo, 48 (28.2%) had FGIDs. Overall prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) were 16.5% and 17.1%, respectively, with 5.3% exhibiting both. Sleep scores (PSQI) (8.79 ± 2.71 vs 7.30 ± 3.43, P = 0.008), the presence of serious psychosocial alarm (83.3% vs 56.6%, P = 0.004), and the proportion of doctors who experienced over two months of recent on-call work (81.2% vs 68.9%, P = 0.044) were significantly different between individuals with or without FGIDs. Multivariate analysis revealed that presenting serious psychosocial alarm was an independent risk factor for prevalence of FD (OR = 5.47, 95%CI: 1.06-28.15, P = 0.042) and poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 6) was a predictor of IBS (OR = 4.17, 95%CI: 1.92-19.02, P = 0.016).

Conclusion: Physicians should recognize the role of sleep impairment and psychological stress in the development of FGIDs and a comprehensive approach should be considered to manage patients with FGIDs.

Keywords: 24 hour-on-call shift; Doctors; Functional gastrointestinal disorders; Psychosocial stress; Sleep.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dyspepsia / etiology
  • Dyspepsia / psychology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / etiology
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / psychology
  • Male
  • Occupational Diseases
  • Physicians*
  • Prevalence
  • Republic of Korea
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep*
  • Stress, Psychological*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Work Schedule Tolerance*