Shift patterns, physical exercise, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): a prospective cohort study in China

Abstract

To examine the relationships between different shift patterns and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk, and determine whether physical exercise reduced the incidence of T2DM in shift workers in the oil industry. Baseline data were collected from participants in May 2013 who were then followed for 4 years in a prospective cohort study. The cohort initially consisted of 3,002 workers and ultimately included 2,827 people. Baseline and follow-up questionnaires were sent to participants every 2 years (in May 2015 and May 2017) to update medical and lifestyle information during the follow-up period. The risk of T2DM among two shift workers [relative risk (RR) = 3.442, 95% CI: 1.904–6.799)], three shift workers (RR = 2.534, 95% CI: 1.484–4.571), and four shift workers (RR = 4.230, 95% CI: 2.680–7.518) was higher than that among day workers. An increasing trend was observed with respect to T2DM risk, with the lowest risk in three shift workers, moderate risk in two shift workers, and highest risk in four shift workers. In the interactive analysis between shift work and physical exercise, taking part in mild physical exercise increased the risk of T2DM for workers. Four shift workers who took part in mild physical exercise had an increased risk of T2DM. The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was 33.769 (0.398–67.140). The attributable proportion due to interaction [API (%)] was 0.704 (0.529–0.880). The synergy index (SI) was 3.563 (1.900–6.683). Shift work is significantly correlated with increased incidence of T2DM. Risk of T2DM is lowest risk in three shift workers, moderate in two shift workers, and highest in four shift workers. Shift workers who participated in moderate and severe physical exercise had reduced risk of developing T2DM.

Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbance in kidney stone disease: a narrative review

“…Variations in both the secretion and sensitivity of insulin display obvious circadian rhythms, and glucose tolerance (GT) is higher in the morning than in the evening in healthy people, but this oscillation disappears in T2D patients and IGT appears when the circadian oscillation is damaged ( 72 – 74 ). Many studies have revealed that the risk of IR and T2D is higher in populations with sleep disorders, SJL, and shift work, and it may be reduced by extended sleep duration and circadian readjustment strategies ( 11 , 75 ). Cui et al.…”

Molecular Mechanisms of the Melatonin Receptor Pathway Linking Circadian Rhythm to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…As a rising health burden, the number of adults living with diabetes was estimated to reach 537 million in 2021, corresponding to 10.5% of the world population. Although the epidemiological association between circadian rhythm and T2DM has been reported [ 9 , 10 ], the underlying mechanisms are complex and remain unclear. Melatonin and its receptors serve as intermediaries in synchronizing human endogenous circadian rhythm with environmental rhythms [ 11 ].…”