Circadian type, chronic fatigue, and serum IgM in the shift workers of an industrial organization

Abstract

Background:Night shift workers are more vulnerable to immune-related diseases. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is a potent activator of complement, and complement has a crucial role in defense against bacterial infections. Circadian type is known as an effective agent on vulnerability and adaptation with shift work due to non-compliance with shift stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation of circadian type and chronic fatigue with the serum concentration of IgM in a group of shift workers.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was performed in an industrial organization in Isfahan, Iran. The study population consisted of 221 male employees working at night shifts who were selected by random cluster sampling. The following questionnaires were used: composite morningness (Torsvall and Akerstedt), circadian type (Folkard), and chronic fatigue (Barton and colleagues). The serum concentration of IgM was measured by the nephelometric method. The data were analyzed with the Pearson coefficient correlation and the path analysis for finding the pattern of the structural equations to evaluate the direct and indirect relationships between variables, using the SPSS 15 and LISREL 8.5 statistical software.Results:Significant correlation was documented between morningness, flexibility, languidness, and chronic fatigue with the serum concentration of IgM (P < 0.01).Conclusion:The results showed that the shift workers with morningness and languidness experienced more problems during the working hours due to more tiredness, and had decreased serum concentration of IgM. Correct management of shift work may attenuate fatigue in workers and also improve many health issues experienced by the shift workers.

Klokwerk + study protocol: An observational study to the effects of night–shift work on body weight and infection susceptibility and the mechanisms underlying these health effects

“…Other study parameters will involve variables that may play a (modifying) role in the relation between night–shift work and health. Previous studies have for example indicated that, in general, young individuals, males and evening types are better able to adapt to night–shift work without adverse consequences [ 2 , 61 , 62 ]. The following variables will be measured by self–report, based on existing validated questionnaires: Smoking (4 items on current and past smoking behavior) and alcohol use (7 items on current alcohol use behavior); Job satisfaction (1 item on the extent to which one is satisfied with his/her job [ 63 – 65 ]); Work–life balance (4 items from the Survey Work–home Interference NijmeGen (SWING) [ 66 , 67 ]); Socio–demographic factors (6 items on age, gender, ethnicity, level of education, employment status, and marital status); Chronotype (1 item from the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) on whether a person is a morning or evening type [ 68 ]); Sickness absenteeism and presenteeism (8 items from the Dutch version of the World Health Organization’s Heath and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) on sickness absenteeism and overall job performance [ 69 ]).…”

Efeitos do trabalho noturno nos ritmos circadianos de marcadores do processo inflamatório

“…A secreção aumentada de cortisol, também provoca a atrofia dos tecidos linfóides e regula negativamente a expressão de IL-1 e receptores de IL-2 nos linfócitos T. Estes eventos levam a diminuição da quantidade de aminoácidos, os quais são essenciais para a proliferação de células B e a síntese de IgM a partir de tecidos e órgão linfóides (Segerstrom & Miller, 2004). Além disso, diminui o número de linfócitos B e produção de IgM (Khaleghipour et al, 2015).…”