Sleep Science · 3 authors, 1 centre
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This systematic review evaluated metabolic alterations associated with shift work and night work from studies published between 2016 and 2021. The central result is that shift work can cause circadian misalignment leading to alterations in parameters like glycemic control, insulin function, cortisol release, cholesterol, and body composition, which together may contribute to metabolic syndrome.
Studies included cross-sectional, cohort, and experimental designs with low risk of bias. The review found that shift work is associated with circadian misalignment, which can lead to impaired glycemic control, insulin resistance, altered cortisol phase release, cholesterol imbalance, changes in BMI and waist circumference, and reduced melatonin secretion. These physiological alterations are presented as potential contributors to the development of metabolic syndrome. Limitations noted by the authors include the heterogeneity of databases and the restriction to studies published within a 5-year period, which may miss earlier reports on sleep disturbance effects.
