Effect of Rotating Shift on Biomarkers of Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation among Health Personnel in Gaza Governorate

Background: It's been suggested that shift employment is linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). It is a complex syndrome that has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus. The goal of the study was to determine the prevalence of MetS among health-care workers and to investigate the impact of rotating shift work on MetS biomarkers and inflammation.

Methods: 100 current daytime workers were compared to 210 rotating shift workers in comparative analytical cross-sectional research involving 310 health care personnel. A questionnaire on socio-demographic (sex, age, marital status, job), health-related behaviors such as a physical activity) and occupational history about shift work, as well as a health examination with anthropometric and arterial blood pressure measurements, and laboratory investigations. For the diagnosis and determination of MetS, we used the Adult Treatment Protocol III National Cholesterol Education Program of America (ATPIII) indicators. SPSS version 20 was used for the statistical analysis.

Results: The overall prevalence of MetS among healthcare workers was 8.4% (9.0% among current daytime workers and 8.1% among rotating shift workers) with no significant difference between males and females, and shift category. Elevated C-reactive protein (44.5%) was the most commonly altered component among healthcare workers, followed by high triglyceride (35.5%), raised total cholesterol (24.8%), and elevated BMI>30 (20.6 %). In descending order, the following were the main risk factors for MetS in both sexes among rotating shift workers: high blood pressure (OR = 59.5; 95 percent CI, 16.4- 215.8), high fasting blood sugar (OR = 43.9; 95 percent CI, 12.9- 149.1), high triglyceride (OR = 42.3; 95 percent CI, 5.5- 326.6), obesity (BMI >30) (OR = 11.8; 95 percent CI, 4- 34.6), and low HDL cholesterol (OR = 1.6; 95 percent CI, 0.3- 6.1)

Conclusion: MetS was prevalent amongst Gaza Strip healthcare workers, with a consistent increase in prevalence as people were older and had a higher BMI. There was no direct relationship between shift category and the occurrence of MetS and inflammation; however, other factors such as genetics, lifestyle factors, and the work itself may have a greater impact than shift category.