Shift Work and Serum Vitamin D Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are highly prevalent conditions worldwide due to several factors, including poor sun exposure. Shift workers may be exposed to the risk of hypovitaminosis D due to fewer opportunities for sunlight exposure compared to day workers. A systematic review of the PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE databases was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement to investigate the effect of shift work on vitamin D levels. Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of serum 25-OH-D levels in shift workers and non-shift workers were calculated. A total of 13 cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis. We found significantly lower levels of serum 25-OH-D in shift workers compared with non-shift workers (MD: −1.85, 95% CI [−2.49 to −1.21]). Heterogeneity among included studies was high (I2 = 89%, p < 0.0001), and neither subgroup analysis nor meta-regression were able to identify specific sources of the heterogeneity that may be related to the different characteristics of shift work among studies. The monitoring of serum vitamin D levels and prompt correction of any deficiencies should be considered in shift workers. Notably, since a large part of the observations are derived from Koreans, larger epidemiological studies are needed in other populations.

The roles of serum vitamin D and tobacco smoke exposure in insomnia: a cross-sectional study of adults in the United States

“…It indicated that the participants may have relatively regular serum VD concentrations in this study. However, because the optimal 25-OH-D levels are still debated, and the effect of circadian rhythm on serum VD concentration is unclear, the relationship between VD and insomnia requires further exploration ( 46 ).…”

Dietary habits of night shift workers: A reason or an excuse for poor nutrition

“…Došlo se do zaključka da radnici koji rade u smenama, a naročito noću, imaju niži nivo vitamina D nego radnici koji rade u dnevnoj smeni. Uzrok je taj što su noćni radnici manje izloženi sunčevoj svetlosti u odnosu na radnike koji nemaju smenski rad [38,39]. Pored toga, radnici u noćnoj smeni pokazuju tendenciju ka neredovnom rasporedu obroka, jedenju noću i većem unosu nezdrave hrane, što sve može dovesti do smanjenog unosa vitamina D. Takođe je poznato da radnici koji rade u smenama, a naročito oni koji rade noću imaju tendenciju ka većem BMI (indeksu telesne mase) od opšte populacije, što je faktor koji može dovesti do povećane sekvestracije vitamina D u ma-the limited number of studies, i.e., a small number of studies focusing exclusively on shift workers (as in shift schedule) and the rotating energy intake in the night shift rather than intakes that are more representative of shift work.…”

“…Svako prisilno narušavanje normalnih obrazaca spavanja, kao što je rad u smenana, a naročito rad noću, može dovesti do cirkadijalne neusklađenosti i veruje se da je has been concluded that shift workers, especially those who work the night shift, have a lower level of vitamin D compared to those who work the day shift. This is because night shift workers are less exposed to sunlight than those who do not work shifts [38,39]. In addition, night shift workers tend to adopt irregular meal schedules, eat at night, and consume more unhealthy food, which can lead to reduced vitamin D intake.…”

Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbance in kidney stone disease: a narrative review

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