Shift work at young age is associated with increased risk of multiple sclerosis in a Danish population

TY - JOUR

T1 - Shift work at young age is associated with increased risk of multiple sclerosis in a Danish population

AU - Gustavsen, S

AU - Søndergaard, H B

AU - Oturai, D B

AU - Laursen, B

AU - Laursen, J H

AU - Magyari, M

AU - Ullum, H

AU - Larsen, M H

AU - Sellebjerg, F

AU - Oturai, A B

N1 - Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PY - 2016/9/1

Y1 - 2016/9/1

N2 - Background Epidemiological studies suggest an important role for environmental factors in developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Furthermore several studies have indicated that the effect of environmental factors may be especially pronounced in adolescents. Recently only one study investigated and found that shift work at young age is associated with an increased risk of developing MS. In this study we focused on the effect of shift work in the vulnerable period between 15–19 years. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between shift work at young age and the risk of developing MS. Methods We performed a large case-control study including 1785 patients diagnosed with MS and 4194 controls. MS patients were recruited from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Biobank and controls from The Danish Blood Donor Study. Information on working patterns and lifestyle factors was obtained using a comprehensive lifestyle-environmental factor questionnaire with participants enrolled between 2009 and 2014. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between shift work at age 15–19 years and the subsequent risk of MS and were controlled for effects due to established MS risk factors. Results We found a statistically significant association when total numbers of night shifts were compared with non-shift workers. For every additional 100 night shifts the odds ratio (OR) for MS was 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–1.34, p=0.001). Increasing intensity of shift work also increased MS risk. For every additional night per month the OR was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01–1.06, p=0.002). Duration of shift work in years was not associated with risk of MS. Conclusion This study supports a statistically significant association between shift work between age 15–19 years and MS risk.

AB - Background Epidemiological studies suggest an important role for environmental factors in developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Furthermore several studies have indicated that the effect of environmental factors may be especially pronounced in adolescents. Recently only one study investigated and found that shift work at young age is associated with an increased risk of developing MS. In this study we focused on the effect of shift work in the vulnerable period between 15–19 years. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between shift work at young age and the risk of developing MS. Methods We performed a large case-control study including 1785 patients diagnosed with MS and 4194 controls. MS patients were recruited from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Biobank and controls from The Danish Blood Donor Study. Information on working patterns and lifestyle factors was obtained using a comprehensive lifestyle-environmental factor questionnaire with participants enrolled between 2009 and 2014. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between shift work at age 15–19 years and the subsequent risk of MS and were controlled for effects due to established MS risk factors. Results We found a statistically significant association when total numbers of night shifts were compared with non-shift workers. For every additional 100 night shifts the odds ratio (OR) for MS was 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–1.34, p=0.001). Increasing intensity of shift work also increased MS risk. For every additional night per month the OR was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01–1.06, p=0.002). Duration of shift work in years was not associated with risk of MS. Conclusion This study supports a statistically significant association between shift work between age 15–19 years and MS risk.

KW - Adult

KW - Age Factors

KW - Case-Control Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Employment

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Logistic Models

KW - Male

KW - Multiple Sclerosis

KW - Odds Ratio

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1016/j.msard.2016.06.010

DO - 10.1016/j.msard.2016.06.010

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 27645354

SN - 2211-0348

VL - 9

SP - 104

EP - 109

JO - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

JF - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

ER -