Abstract # 1753 Markers of circadian disturbances in cabin crew: Combining cortisol and melatonin responses with self-reporting measures

Abstract

The irregular work schedules of cabin crew with early starts, long working hours, night flights, and the crossing of time zones contribute to circadian stress. The paper examined the potential repercussions of circadian stress on a total of 84 cabin crew both from short haul (SH) and long haul (LH) flights through the combine the use of central circadian clock-controlled hormones cortisol and melatonin and self-reporting measures of fatigue, mood and anxiety. In addition to a more integrative assessment of fatigue and in order to inform Fatigue Management Systems in commercial airlines, measures were collected throughout a day of flight duty service (FDS). Despite the differences between LH and SH, the expected circadian rhythm for cortisol was observed, i.e., for higher values at the start of FDS and lower concentrations at the end of a FDS. The expected rhythm for melatonin was only observed for LH participants, with SH cabin crew exhibiting significantly decreased concentration of melatonin at the end of a FDS. The paper proposes the continuous exposure to artificial environmental light of SH cabin crew as the root cause for the disturbed neuroendocrine disturbances. In addition, the close crosstalk between the circadian and immune systems and the wide-ranging implications for disease as the higher incidence of cancer and the exacerbation of autoimmune symptoms in shift workers is discussed.