Shift work and pathological conditions

Anke van Mark¹ , Michael Spallek² , Richard Kessel¹ and Elke Brinkmann³

¹Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany

²Department of Occupational Medicine, VW-Nutzfahrzeuge, D-30405 Hannover, Germany

³Department of Prevention, Norddeutsche Metall-Berufsgenossenschaft, D-30173 Hannover, Germany

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Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 2006, 1:25doi:10.1186/1745-6673-1-25


Published:	11 December 2006

Abstract

Shift work exerts major influences on the physiological functions of the human body. These are primarily mediated by the disruption of circadian rhythms since most body functions are circadian rhythmic. Next to the disturbances caused by changes in the circadian system, shift work has also been suggested to be related to a number of other health disorders. The present study summarizes recently published data on the potential relationship between disorders and shift working.