• Login
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Graduate Theses, Dissertations and Projects
    • Queen's Graduate Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Home
    • Graduate Theses, Dissertations and Projects
    • Queen's Graduate Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Shift Work and Cortisol Production Among Female Hospital Employees

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Hung_Eleanor_201509_MSc.pdf (1.899Mb)
    Date
    2015-09-12
    Author
    Hung, Eleanor
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Background: Shift work is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This thesis focuses on the potential disruption of cortisol production by shift work, a proposed underlying pathway to CVD.

    Objectives: (1) To describe the diurnal quantity and pattern of cortisol production according to shift work status (exclusive-day, or rotating days and nights), and according to parameters of rotating shift work (timing, length, and intensity). (2) To determine how current shift work status and past shift work affects diurnal quantity and pattern of cortisol production. (3) To determine the effects of rotating shift work parameters on diurnal pattern and quantity of cortisol production.

    Methods: 328 female hospital employees (160 day workers, 168 rotating shift workers) participated in a cross-sectional study consisting of: (1) an initial interview and anthropometric assessment, (2) completion of a questionnaire package to ascertain work characteristics, and (3) collection of urine over a 48-hour period to measure creatinine-adjusted cortisol. Cortisol profiles and unadjusted summary measures were used to describe the quantity and pattern of diurnal cortisol production by shift work status and parameters of rotating shift work exposure. The effect of shift work on diurnal cortisol was determined using multivariable linear regression modeling.

    Results: Compared to day workers, rotating shift workers had flatter diurnal cortisol curves and produced less cortisol during their night shift cycle. However, during day shift cycles, there was no difference between shift workers and day workers in the quantity produced. Each additional year of shift work exposure was associated with an increase in diurnal cortisol production in day workers only. Conclusions: Night work is associated with acutely attenuated cortisol production, while a greater number of years of past shift work increased cortisol production. Thus, cortisol disruption may be a potential mechanism linking shift work to CVD development.
    URI for this record
    http://hdl.handle.net/1974/13594
    Collections
    • Queen's Graduate Theses and Dissertations
    • Department of Public Health Sciences Graduate Theses
    Request an alternative format
    If you require this document in an alternate, accessible format, please contact the Queen's Adaptive Technology Centre

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2015  DuraSpace
    Contact Us
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV
     

     

    Browse

    All of QSpaceCommunities & CollectionsPublished DatesAuthorsTitlesSubjectsTypesThis CollectionPublished DatesAuthorsTitlesSubjectsTypes

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage StatisticsView Google Analytics Statistics

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2015  DuraSpace
    Contact Us
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV