title: Chronic effects of shift work on cognition: findings from the VISAT longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Shift work, like chronic jet lag, is known to disrupt workers' normal circadian rhythms and social life, and to be associated with increased health problems (eg, ulcers, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, breast cancer, reproductive difficulties) and with acute effects on safety and productivity. However, very little is known about the long-term consequences of shift work on cognitive abilities. The aim of this study was to assess the chronicity and reversibility of the effects of shift work on cognition.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective cohort study of 3232 employed and retired workers (participation rate: 76%) who were 32, 42, 52 and 62 years old at the time of the first measurement (t1, 1996), and who were seen again 5 (t2) and 10 (t3) years later. 1484 of them had shift work experience at baseline (current or past) and 1635 had not. The main outcome measures were tests of speed and memory, assessed at all three measurement times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Shift work was associated with impaired cognition. The association was stronger for exposure durations exceeding 10 years (dose effect; cognitive loss equivalent to 6.5 years of age-related decline in the current cohort). The recovery of cognitive functioning after having left shift work took at least 5 years (reversibility).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shift work chronically impairs cognition, with potentially important safety consequences not only for the individuals concerned, but also for society.
authors.affiliation: CLLE (UMR5263), Université de Toulouse-CNRS, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Marquié
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Institut de Psychologie, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Folkard
authors.affiliation: Département d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (UMR1027), Université de Toulouse-Inserm, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gentil
authors.affiliation: International University of Monaco, Principality of Monaco, Monaco.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ansiau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology*