Shift Work Tied to Negative Impact on Cognitive Functioning
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Aug. 25, 2023 -- Shift work may negatively impact cognitive functioning in middle-aged and older adults, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in PLOS ONE.
Durdana Khan, Ph.D., from York University in Toronto, and colleagues used data from 47,811 middle-aged and older adults (45 to 85 years) participating in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to examine associations between shift work exposure and cognitive impairment. They evaluated three shift work variables: ever exposed to shift work, shift work exposure in longest-held job, and shift work exposure in current job.
Twenty-one percent of participants reported exposure to any type of shift work in their jobs. The researchers found exposure to night shift work (both current and longest-held job) was associated with overall cognitive impairment (odds ratios, 1.79 and 1.53, respectively) compared with daytime work only. Specifically, night shift work (longest-held job) was associated with memory function impairment. Participants exposed to rotating shift work (both current and longest-held job) showed impairment on executive function measures versus daytime workers.
"These findings highlight the negative impact of [shift work] on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults," the authors write. "By taking this modifiable risk factor into account we may enable workers to reduce cognitive impairment both during their working lives and after retirement, and support 'active aging' of the workforce."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted August 2023
Read this next
BMI Cutoff of 30 for Obesity May Be Too High for Middle-Aged, Older Adults
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- The optimal body mass index (BMI) cutoff point appears to be 27 kg/m2 for detecting obesity in middle-aged and older adults, according to a study presented...
Emergency Inguinal Hernia Surgery Rates Increased With Lower Country Income
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- For patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery, emergency surgery rates increase from high- to low-income countries, according to a study published online...
Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels Higher in Black Than White Women
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are higher in Black than White pregnant women, supporting the use of accounting for these differences in...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.