Shift work and serum 25-OH vitamin D status among factory workers in Northern Italy: Cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Low levels of vitamin D are related to muscle weakness, poor balance, and higher risk of falls, and can therefore have a major impact on performance and safety at work. Little knowledge exists on the association between work environment and vitamin D status. This study evaluates vitamin D status in shift workers. In this cross-sectional study, led during early springtime, 96 male shift workers at an engineering factory in Northern Italy, and 100 male daily workers operating nearby, participated. 25-OH vitamin D concentration, anthropometric indexes, fasting glycemia and triglycerides were detected. 51 shift workers underwent anamnesis collection on lifestyle and habits and determination of heel bone mineral density. Vitamin D levels were lower in shift workers than daily ones (13.4 ± 5.3 ng/mL versus 21.9 ± 10.7 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis adjusted for age, body mass index and smoking habits confirms a statistically significant association between shift work and vitamin D levels (p < 0.0001). An association trend between cigarette smoking and low vitamin D values was found. No significant association was detected between the heel bone mineral density values and vitamin D levels or smoking habits. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study highlights the high prevalence of vitamin D deficit among shift workers compared with daily ones.

• Authors: Alessandro Romano, Luisella Vigna, Valentina Belluigi, Diana Misaela Conti, Claudia Eleonora Barberi, Laura Tomaino, Dario Consonni, Luciano Riboldi, Amedea Silvia Tirelli, Lars Louis Andersen
• Journal: Chronobiology international (Chronobiol Int) Vol. 32 Issue 6 Pg. 842-7 ( 2015) ISSN: 1525-6073 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26125129 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Triglycerides
• Vitamin D

Topics

• Adult
• Anthropometry
• Body Mass Index
• Bone Density
• Circadian Rhythm
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Employment
• Heel (pathology)
• Humans
• Italy
• Linear Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prevalence
• Seasons
• Smoking
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Vitamin D (blood)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (blood, diagnosis)
• Work Schedule Tolerance