Female nurses who work rotating night shifts in addition to day and evening shifts may have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those who only work days or evenings, according to a new study by the Harvard School of Public Health.
For their study, researchers analyzed data on more than 69,269 women in the Nurses' Health Study I, which lasted from 1988-2008. Another cohort of 107,915 women was tracked in the Nurses' Health Study II, which lasted from 1989-2007.
Results showed the longer women worked rotating night shifts, the greater their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For instance, women who worked rotating night shifts for three to nine years faced a 20 percent increased risk; women who worked nights for 10 to 19 years had a 40 percent increased risk; and women who worked night shifts for over 20 years were 58 percent more at risk.
Even after taking into account body weight, the increased risk of type 2 diabetes for women who worked rotating night shifts remained statistically significant. In addition, women who worked rotating night shifts gained more weight and were more likely to become obese during the follow-up.
For their study, researchers analyzed data on more than 69,269 women in the Nurses' Health Study I, which lasted from 1988-2008. Another cohort of 107,915 women was tracked in the Nurses' Health Study II, which lasted from 1989-2007.
Results showed the longer women worked rotating night shifts, the greater their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For instance, women who worked rotating night shifts for three to nine years faced a 20 percent increased risk; women who worked nights for 10 to 19 years had a 40 percent increased risk; and women who worked night shifts for over 20 years were 58 percent more at risk.
Even after taking into account body weight, the increased risk of type 2 diabetes for women who worked rotating night shifts remained statistically significant. In addition, women who worked rotating night shifts gained more weight and were more likely to become obese during the follow-up.
Related Articles on Nursing:
New Johns Hopkins Program Trains Nursing Students to Excel in Patient Safety
Average Staff Nurse Salary in 2011 Hits Nearly $68k
Alameda County Medical Center Reaches Labor Agreements With Nurses, Other Employees