[Health problems due to night shift work and jetlag]

Internist (Berl). 2004 Sep;45(9):1021-5. doi: 10.1007/s00108-004-1257-9.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Technical demands, economic considerations and allocation of services around the clock bring about, that night work constantly represents a portion of 12-15% in Germany. Work against the biologic clock increases the risks for accidents and may produce health risks as sleeping or gastro-intestinal disorders, depression, cardio-vascular diseases, overweight, and a disturbed sexual activity and fertility. Adaptation to an altered day/night rhythm during night shift work takes more than a week, and even then the time shift is rarely complete. In contrast the duration of time shift is much shorter during a jetlag and is mostly completed after 2-3 days. Therefore, much less health risk is to be expected from jetlag as compared to night shift work. About 15% of all healthy adults are insufficiently adaptable to night shift work. These individuals carry a particularly high health risk, if regularly participating in night shift work.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational / prevention & control
  • Accidents, Occupational / statistics & numerical data
  • Biological Clocks / physiology
  • Chronobiology Disorders / etiology*
  • Chronobiology Disorders / physiopathology
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Germany
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Jet Lag Syndrome / etiology*
  • Jet Lag Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Melatonin / blood
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / etiology*
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / physiopathology
  • Work Schedule Tolerance / physiology*

Substances

  • Melatonin