title: Shift work and serum 25-OH vitamin D status among factory workers in Northern Italy: Cross-sectional study.
abstract: Low levels of vitamin D are related to muscle weakness, poor balance, and higher risk of falls, and can therefore have a major impact on performance and safety at work. Little knowledge exists on the association between work environment and vitamin D status. This study evaluates vitamin D status in shift workers. In this cross-sectional study, led during early springtime, 96 male shift workers at an engineering factory in Northern Italy, and 100 male daily workers operating nearby, participated. 25-OH vitamin D concentration, anthropometric indexes, fasting glycemia and triglycerides were detected. 51 shift workers underwent anamnesis collection on lifestyle and habits and determination of heel bone mineral density. Vitamin D levels were lower in shift workers than daily ones (13.4 ± 5.3 ng/mL versus 21.9 ± 10.7 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis adjusted for age, body mass index and smoking habits confirms a statistically significant association between shift work and vitamin D levels (p < 0.0001). An association trend between cigarette smoking and low vitamin D values was found. No significant association was detected between the heel bone mineral density values and vitamin D levels or smoking habits. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study highlights the high prevalence of vitamin D deficit among shift workers compared with daily ones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Post-graduate School of Occupational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy .
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Luisella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vigna
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Belluigi
authors.forename: Diana Misaela
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: Claudia Eleonora
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Barberi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tomaino
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Consonni
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Riboldi
authors.forename: Amedea Silvia
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: Lars Louis
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D006365:Heel / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D012907:Smoking; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides; D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: Engineering factory; heel mineral bone density; shift work; smoking habits; vitamin D