Combined exposure to night work and noise in relation to hyperglycemia among long-term night workers: a nationwide population-based prospective cohort study

TL;DR

This study shows that working night shifts and being exposed to noise increases the risk of high blood sugar more than night work alone.

Contribution

The study reveals a dose–response relationship between night work duration and hyperglycemia, with combined noise exposure amplifying the risk.

Findings

Each additional night work day increased hyperglycemia risk by 5%.

Noise exposure added a 1.34% increase in fasting glucose levels.

Combined noise and ≥10 night work days caused a 5.71% rise in glucose levels.

Abstract

This study investigated the association between combined exposures and hyperglycemia incidence, as well as the dose–response relationship between the duration of night work and hyperglycemia among long-term night workers.

In this prospective cohort study, 12 716 night workers from the nationwide population were recruited. Hyperglycemia incidence was based on the one-year change in fasting blood glucose levels. Occupational noise exposure was defined as exposure to 8-hour time-weighted average sound levels of ≥85 decibels. Personal factors, including body mass index, and work-related factors, like monthly night work duration, were assessed. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to explore the association.

In the multivariate logistic analyses, each additional day of night work was associated with an increased risk of hyperglycemia [adjusted odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.07]. In the normal fasting glucose group, each additional day of night work was associated with a linear increase of +0.07% (95% CI +0.03% – +0.12%) in the change in fasting glucose levels, and noise exposure was associated with a linear increase of +1.34% (95% CI +0.55% – +2.12%) increase in fasting glucose levels. Furthermore, the population exposed to noise and working ≥10 days of night work had a significantly higher increase of fasting glucose levels (β +5.71%, 95% CI +4.48% – +6.95%), with significant interaction effects (P for interaction <0.01).

The possible dose–response relationship between duration of night work and changes in fasting glucose levels was found. The combined exposure to night work and noise posed a higher risk for hyperglycemia than exposure to night work alone.

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