Shift work linked to cognitive impairment

Editor's Note

This Canadian study examines the associations between shift work and cognitive impairment.

A total of 47,811 adults between 45 and 85 years of age were included in the analysis.

Higher rates of cognitive impairment were found in those who were exposed to night-shift work during their current jobs or longest jobs, compared with those who only worked during the daytime.

Domain-based measures of cognition found that night-shift work was associated with memory function impairment, and rotating-shift work was associated with impairment of executive function.

The findings suggest that circadian rhythm disruption as a result of shift work has a negative effect on cognitive function, which warrants further investigation, the authors say.