title: Work schedules and 11-year progression of carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged Finnish men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the relationship between different work schedules and progression of carotid atherosclerosis, an early indicator of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 621 men, aged 42-60 years, in the prospective Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study cohort. Using multivariable regressions adjusting for 22 covariates including total time worked during follow-up, we evaluated the associations of baseline work schedules with 11-year progression of ultrasonographically assessed carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and their variation by preexisting CVD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Standard daytime work, weekend shifts, and evening/night/rotating shifts were associated with 31%, 37%, and 33% increases in IMT, respectively. Compared to daytime workers, weekend workers experienced a faster progression of carotid atherosclerosis [relative change ratio (RCR) = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.09)]. This ratio was higher among men who had preexisting CVD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weekend shifts, more than standard daytime work, appear to accelerate carotid atherosclerosis progression among middle-aged Finnish men, especially those with pre-existing CVD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, The Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Aolin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Onyebuchi A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Arah
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kauhanen
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krause
mesh_terms: D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology
keywords: occupational health; overtime work; prospective study; weekend shift; work-life balance