title: Effect of Sleep/Wake Cycle on Autonomic Regulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between irregular sleep/wake cycle in shift workers and autonomic regulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dow University Hospital, Karachi, from August to November 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  All healthcare providers working in rotating shifts making a total (n=104) were included. Instrument was an integrated questionnaire applied to assess autonomic regulation, taken from Kröz et al. on scoring criteria, ranging from 18 - 54, where higher rating signifies strong autonomic regulation, indicating a stable Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and vice versa. Participants were interviewed and their response was recorded by the investigator. Influence of sleep misalignment was measured quantitatively to extract index of autonomic activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a reduced trend in autonomic strength amongst shift workers. The mean score obtained on the Autonomic Scale was 37.8 ± 5.9.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circadian misalignment has an injurious influence on ANS which might be valuable in controlling autonomic dysfunction that leads to fatal triggers in rotating shift workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Dow University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Surriya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jabeen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D001683:Biological Clocks; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin