Association of industrial work schedules with development of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and serum adipokine concentrations.

BACKGROUND

Association of work schedule in industrial workers with the progression of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and serum adipokine concentrations is incompletely explored.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of work schedule with the progression of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and adipokine concentrations in industrial workers.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study design of industrial workers we compared metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and adipokines concentration between workers in the day shift (n = 52), rotational shift (n = 21), and night shift (n = 15). The international Diabetes Federation criteria were used to diagnose metabolic syndrome. We used a homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Serum insulin, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were monitored using Prietest clinical chemistry reagents.

RESULTS

The proportional difference in metabolic syndrome (0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.036-0.587, = 0.026), median difference of leptin (0.61, 95% CI 0.186-1.034, = 0.005), and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (LAR; 0.45, 95% CI 0.235-0.665, < 0.001) was significantly higher, and serum adiponectin was lower (-2.00, 95% CI -4.197 to 0.197, = 0.07) in the night-shift workers compared with that of day-shift workers. Among rotational-shift workers, the proportional difference between metabolic syndrome (0.14, 95% CI -0.098 to 0.378, = 0.25), median difference of leptin (0.25, 95% CI -0.124 to 0.624, = 0.19), and LAR (0.09, 95% CI -0.099 to 0.279, = 0.35) was higher, and serum adiponectin concentration was lower (-0.73, 95% CI -2.660 to 1.208, = 0.46) compared with that of day-shift workers; however, the altered differences were not significant. We observed a higher proportion of difference in HOMA-IR in shift workers (night and rotation) than in day-shift workers.

CONCLUSION

Night-shift workers are vulnerable to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, HOMA-IR, and adipokine changes.