[Determination of physiologic disturbances due to rotating shift schedules using ambulatory measurement of the arterial pressure].
Technological progress has led to the creation of jobs requiring minimal physical labor, high mental concentration, and rotating shift schedules. This study evaluates the physiological effects of rotating shift work on the cardiovascular system.


METHODS
blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were recorded automatically (Spacelabs) under ambulatory conditions over a 24 h period in 15 quality control technicians at a chemical factory, during each one of their 3 shifts: morning (4 am-12 noon), afternoon (12 noon to 8 pm) and night (8 pm to 4 am).


RESULTS
mean Bp and HR did not differ significantly between the 3 shifts when the work period was taken into account. (table; see text) Activity appears to prevail over circadian rythm and to determine BP and HR levels. Techniques using chronological series analysis which take BP variability into account (Fourier harmonic transformations) show that night work considerably modifies the modes of BP and HR variation (going to sleep, waking-up, variability at work).


CONCLUSIONS
BP and HR measurement provide a pratical approach to the analysis of physiological disturbances induced by rotating shift work in employees with mentally demanding jobs.
de Gaudemaris
R
R
Service de consultation d'hypertension artérielle, RCH, Grenoble.
Chau
N P
NP
Ruche
E
E
Pelen
O
O
Mathern
G
G
Siché
J P
JP
Perdrix
A
A
Mallion
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014937:Work
Approche des perturbations physiologiques du travail posté par mesure de la pression artérielle en ambulatoire.