Night Shift Work Increases the Risk of Asthma

Abstract

Shift work causes misalignment between our internal clock and daily behavioural cycles and is associated with metabolic disorders and cancer. Here, we describe the relationship between shift work and prevalent asthma in >280,000 UK Biobank participants. Compared to day workers, permanent night shift workers had a higher likelihood of moderate/severe asthma (odds ratio (OR) 1.36 (1.03-1.8)) and all asthma (OR 1.23 (1.03-1.46) after adjustment for known major confounders). The public health implications of this finding are far-reaching due to the high prevalence and co-occurrence of both asthma and shift work.

Asthma diagnosis: into the fourth dimension

“…However, misalignment can occur (such as through chronic shift work, jet lag or disrupted lighting schedules) and negatively impact physiology and health. [40][41][42] The circadian clock and asthma…”

“…This was following adjustment of major confounding factors, including social deprivation, occupational risks for asthma and smoking, indicating that circadian misalignment due to imbalance between the internal clock and the environment (external light-dark cycle) may impact on asthma acquisition and severity. 41 In the context of allergic diseases, mast cell, basophil and eosinophil biology are all under circadian regulation. 28 52 53 The expression of high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) in mast cells is under clock control and the stimulation of FcεRI at different time points induces rhythmic production of cytokines in vitro.…”

“…Notably, chronotypes (patients preferred pattern of sleep, see table 1) influence asthma risks and nocturnal symptoms, and may also impact on the diurnal variations and chronophenotypes in asthma. 41 77 80 81 Day-to-day variability Day-to-day variability in asthma is less well studied than diurnal variability. Marked increase in BHR can occur within 24 hours after exposure to sensitizers and can resolve within a week.…”