Occupational Medicine. 58(4):302-304, JUNE 2008
PMID: 18346952
Issn Print: 0962-7480
Publication Date: June 2008
Shift work and sickness absence
Finn Tüchsen;Karl Christensen;Thomas Lund;
+ Author Information
National Research Center for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Abstract
Sickness absence is increasing in public work places in Denmark where shift work is common.The aim of this prospective study was to predict the hazard ratio (HR) of short- and long-term sickness absence due to shift work in Danish shift workers.A total of 1008 shift workers and 4009 day workers were followed up for short- and long-time sickness absence.Among shift workers, the HR of sickness absence lasting ≥2 weeks was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.71–1.18) for men and 0.90 for women (95% CI: 0.71–1.14). For sickness absence lasting ≥8 weeks, the HR was 1.33 (95% CI: 0.91–1.94) for men and 1.13 (95% CI: 0.81–1.59) for women.This study was inconclusive in proving any link between shift work and absenteeism after controlling for age, education, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, leisure time physical activity, psychosocial and physical work environment factors.
