Effects of Socio-Occupational Characteristics and of the Type of Rotating Shiftwork Schedule on Quality of Life and Sleep in Shift Workers

Abstract

P-747 Abstract: The aim of the present study was to analyse the consequences of various work schedules (permanent vs rotating) on health, quality of sleep and of life, taking into account some socio-occupational determinants. Methods: We investigated 1330 German and 1119 French workers. They responded to 5 self-completed questionnaires on socio-occupational status, circadian typology (Horne & Ostberg Quest.), quality of life (SF12), quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Quest.) and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Scale). The latter three, translated into 3 scores, constituted the dependent variables. Subjects have been divided into four groups according to their work schedules: 1) straight day work (n=795) 2) rotating 2-shift day work – morning/afternoon (n=230), 3) rotating three-shift work (n=1141) and 4) fixed night work (n=283). The scores were compared between groups using ANOVA, and risk factors were analyzed using multivariate linear correlations. Results: Subjects complaining of bad quality of sleep or abnormal daytime sleepiness reported a poorer quality of life. We observed that the 2-shift day group complained of sleepiness after the morning shift as much as the 3-shift workers and significantly more than the day or night fixed workers. Both day and night fixed workers were well adapted to their rhythm of work with a better quality of sleep, and less daytime sleepiness (21%) than rotating shiftworkers (30%). Their circadian typology, 67%-morningness and 79%-eveningness respectively, was in phase with their fixed work schedules, while the rotating groups were essentially of morningness typology (60%). The different scores were significantly correlated. Beside the type of work schedule, the major risk factors for quality of life, quality of sleep and sleepiness were: age, few leisure activities and use of sleep medications. Among workers exposed to 3-shift rotating schedule, there is a higher prevalence of health problems and sleepiness in workers with 7-day-counterclockwise rotation than in workers with 2-day-clockwise rotation. Conclusions: We mainly concluded that rotating shiftworkers, including day shift, were the most affected in their sleep and their quality of life than fixed scheduling workers, including night shift. Subjects complaining of bad quality of sleep or abnormal daytime sleepiness reported a poorer quality of life. This study confirms that for 3-shift work scheduling, the rapid 2-day-clockwise roster shift appeared to be better supported by workers than the slow 7-day-counterclockwise roster shift. Funded by Programme Européen Trans-frontalier INTERREG II - Lorraine/Sarre.