Let’s stick with the sleep theme this week! Here are some results from a study published in Preventive Medicine in the September 2021 edition that looked at mental health and shift work in over 12,000 workers. The authors found a significant increased risk of depression (OR = 1.13, 95% CI, 1.00–1.27) and poor self-rated health (OR = 1.13, 95% CI, 1.14–1.55) among shift workers compared to non-shift workers. Shift workers were more likely to have increased rates of depression and poor self-rated health, as well as depressive and anxiety symptom scores compared to non-shift workers. As a result, shift workers may be at increased risk of comorbidity, poor quality of life, missed work, and early retirement. Highlights of the study include:
- Shift workers reported higher levels of anxiety, depression and low self-rated health than non-shift workers.
- Shift workers were more likely to report major depression and poor self-rated health than non-shift workers.
- Female shift workers were more likely to report depressive symptoms and poor self-rated health.
Worksite Doc 