The association between long-term night shift work and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study of male railway workers in southwest China

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of new diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Night shift work (NSW) may influence metabolic disturbance and lead to MetS. This study aims to investigate the association between long-term NSW (≥ 10 years) and MetS combined with its components in male railway workers in southwest China. METHODS: 11,023 male railway workers with long-term NSW of more than 10 years in the Physical Examination Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University were enrolled. The basic data were collected by investigators and blood test results were collected. The primary outcome was the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The results were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 22.0. RESULTS: In total, 11,023 people over the age of 40 with more than 10 years of working experience were enrolled, and 4759 (43.2%) participants had a diagnosis of MetS. The basic data indicated that night shift workers tended to be younger, shorter working years, but with higher body mass index and longer hip circumference (p < 0.05). The adjusted analysis revealed that there was no significant association between NSW and metabolic syndrome (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.94–1.12, p = 0.543). NSW was associated with SBP ≥ 130 mmHg (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.21, p < 0.001) and waist circumference ≥ 90 cm (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.21, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term night shift workers had a higher prevalence of MetS. However, long-term NSW is not associated with a significantly increased risk of metabolic syndrome in male railway workers in southwest China. Long-term NSW is associated with elevated SBP, and waist circumference increase. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02705-7.