The aim of this project is to study the effects of shift work on body weight and infection susceptibility and the mechanisms underlying these health effects. First, we will study the relation between shift work exposure and body weight and between…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
- Hepatobiliary neoplasms malignant and unspecified
Synonym
Health condition
overgewicht
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The primary study parameters are shift work exposure, body weight and infection
susceptibility. Shift work exposure will be measured with an extensive
questionnaire covering the different domains of shift work, i.e. shift system,
cumulative exposure and shift intensity. Furthermore, anthropometric
measurements (i.e. height, weight and waist circumference) will be performed
during the study to assess changes in body weight. Infection susceptibility
will be defined as the development of influenza-like illness (ILI). The
occurrence of ILI cases during the study period will be measured with a log
(app).
Secondary outcome
The secondary study parameters are the potential mechanisms that link shift
work to health effects on which we will focus in this study; these are sleep
factors, physical activity, diet behaviors, light, vitamin D level and
immunological factors. Furthermore, other parameters that may play a role in
the relation between shift work and health will be measured; these are smoking,
alcohol use, job satisfaction, work-life balance, general health, absenteeism
and presenteeism. In addition, factors that may modify the relation between
shift work and health will be measured; these are socio-demographic factors,
chronotype and quality of life.
Background summary
Shift work may cause severe disruptions in the worker*s circadian rhythm, which
can lead to the onset of health problems and diseases. As a large part of the
workforce is exposed to shift work, harmful aspects of shift work should not be
overlooked. Therefore, clear evidence for, as well as mechanistic insight into,
the relation between shift work and health problems such as overweight and
infectious diseases is needed. This knowledge can be the starting point for the
development of scientific-based interventions that prevent and reduce negative
health effects caused by shift work. In addition, the identification of
biomarkers that are indicative of loss of homeostasis due to circadian
disruption may be an important asset in monitoring the effects of such
interventions.
Study objective
The aim of this project is to study the effects of shift work on body weight
and infection susceptibility and the mechanisms underlying these health
effects. First, we will study the relation between shift work exposure and body
weight and between shift work exposure and infection susceptibility. Second, we
will examine the mechanisms linking shift work exposure to body weight and
infection susceptibility, with a specific focus on sleep, physical activity,
diet, light, vitamin D level and immunological factors. Lastly, we will focus
on the identification of biomarkers for shift work associated circadian
disruption.
Study design
The design of this study will be a prospective observational cohort study
consisting of 1,960 health care workers. The study population will consist of
both shift working and non-shift working health care workers. There will be two
measurement periods: one at the beginning of the flu season in October/November
(baseline measurement) and one at the end of the flu season in April (after 6
months). The measurements will consist of questionnaires, anthropometric
measurements, a log (app) to determine infection susceptibility, food diaries,
actigraphy, light sensors, and blood sample analyses.
Study burden and risks
Participants are asked to fill in a questionnaire at baseline and after 6
months, keep a log (app) about infection susceptibility during 6 months, and
keep a food diary for 3 days at baseline. These activities may be fairly
time-consuming for participants. Furthermore, a subsample of the participants
(n=260) will be asked to wear an actigraphy device and a light sensor for 7
days at baseline and at 6 months to measure activity levels and light exposure.
These wearing devices may also cause slight inconvenience. Lastly, the
collection of blood samples at 6 months (one blood sample per participant) may
also cause short-term discomfort for the participant and may cause a hematoma
or bruising at the puncture site.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9
Bilthoven 3721MA
NL
Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9
Bilthoven 3721MA
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Participant is between 18 and 65 years old at time of recruitment.
Participant has a job as a nurse or an (allied) health professional in the participating hospital.
Participant is expected to be employed as a health care worker during the complete follow-up period (until the summer of 2017).
Exclusion criteria
Participant is on long-term sick leave (* 4 weeks) at time of recruitment.
Participant is pregnant or on maternity leave during the study period.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL56022.041.16 |