Manohar S, et al. – This analysis studied the link between shift work status and hypertension (HTN). Based on the observed significant association between rotating shift work and HTN, researchers concluded a possible significance of shiftwork status in HTN. However, no significant association was detected, between night shift status and risk of HTN.

Methods

• Researchers performed a literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database from inception through October 2016.
• They included studies that reported odds ratios (OR) comparing the risk of HTN in shift workers.
• They also performed a prespecified subgroup analysis by rotating shift and night shift statuses.
• Pooled OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. 

Results

• In this analysis, 27 observational studies (nine cohort and 18 cross-sectional studies) with a total of 394 793 individuals were enrolled.
• Findings demonstrated that the pooled ORs of HTN in shift workers in cohort and cross-sectional studies were 1.31 (95% CI, 1.07–1.60) and 1.10 (95% CI, 1.00–1.20), respectively.
• Researchers observed that when meta-analysis was restricted only to cohort studies in rotating shift, the pooled OR of HTN in rotating shift workers was 1.34 (95% CI, 1.08–1.67).
• They also noted that the data regarding night shift and HTN in cohort studies was limited.
• The pooled OR of HTN in night shift workers in cross-sectional studies was 1.07 (95% CI, 0.85–1.35).