[The night shift: a risk factor for health and quality of life in nursing staff].
OBJECTIVE
To study shift-related differences (day shift vs. night shift) in health and quality of life in nursing staff in hospitals in the Catalan public health system.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional multicenter study in a sample of 476 nursing staff in the wards and special services of five Catalan public hospitals working for at least 6 consecutive months on the day shift or night shift. The nurses completed a validated, self-administered questionnaire on quality of life (M. Ruiz and E. Baca) and another questionnaire on health-related aspects such as sleep, working conditions, and demographic variables.


RESULTS
Nurses working on the night shift showed a higher prevalence of appetite disturbance (45.2% vs 34.4%; p=0.01) and varicose veins (46.6% vs 36.4%; p=0.008). Sleeping disorders were also more frequent on the night shift, including insomnia and sleep fragmentation, with no differences in those who slept during the day (22.3%vs 33.7% ) or night (17.6% vs 30%) with respect to the day shift (12.2% vs 22.6%). Multivariate analysis of the results of the quality of life questionnaire revealed the night shift to be associated with the dimensions of social support (OR: 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-3.01), physical/psychological well-being (OR: 1.04; 95% CI, 1.004-1.07) and leisure time (OR: 1.07; 95% CI, 1.003-1.1), although the overall score was similar.


CONCLUSIONS
The night shift is associated a higher incidence of varicose veins, appetite disturbance and sleep disorders, as well as alterations related to social support, leisure time, and physical and physiological well-being.
Servicio de Medicina Intensiva y Crítica, Hosptial Universitario Joan XXIII, Tarragona, España. Rbonet10@telefonica.net
Ricard
R
Bonet-Porqueras
Alícia
A
Moliné-Pallarés
Montserrat
M
Olona-Cabases
Elsa
E
Gil-Mateu
Patricia
P
Bonet-Notario
Ester
E
Les-Morell
Montserrat
M
Iza-Maiza
Mercedes
M
Bonet-Porqueras
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009729:Nursing; D016272:Occupational Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult