Circadian Rhythm Alteration and Metabolic Syndrome

There is growing scientific evidence that connects circadian rhythm abnormalities with cardiovascular risk factors. Due to their work schedules, shift workers are exposed to changes in their circadian rhythm that are associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). Aim: To determine the relationship between shift work and metabolic syndrome. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study. The sample included 300 adult volunteers, health workers of a public hospital in the city of Riobamba, Ecuador. The diagnosis of MS was made based on the criteria bythe Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). In addition, sleep quality was assessed through the Pittsburg sleep quality index. Cluster analysis of K-means was used to identify representative groups. In addition, chi-squared test and ANOVA were used to determine the association between variables. Results: Three conglomerates based on age and sex were established, which were numbered consecutively 1, 2 and 3. Conglomerate 1 had a statistically higher percentage of people who worked in shifts, suffered MS and had worse sleep quality than the other two conglomerates. In conclusion, shift work is related to the risk of suffering from MS and poor quality of sleep. Keywords: shift work, metabolic syndrome, sleep quality, k medias clusters. Resumen Introduccion: La evidencia creciente conecta las alteraciones del ritmo circadiano con factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Los trabajadores por turnos debido a sus horarios de trabajo estan expuestos a alteraciones de su ritmo circadiano que se asocian a sindrome metabolico (SM). Objetivo: Determinar la relacion entre trabajo por turnos y sindrome metabolico. Metodologia: Estudio observacional transversal. La muestra incluyo 300 voluntarios adultos, empleados sanitarios de un hospital publico de la ciudad de Riobamba, Ecuador. El diagnostico de SM se realizo con base en los criterios del Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Ademas, se evaluo la calidad del sueno a traves del indice de la calidad de sueno de Pittsburg. Se utilizo el analisis de cluster de K medias para identificar grupos representativos, ademas Chi2 y ANOVA para determinar asociacion entre las variables. Resultados: Se establecieron tres clusters basados en edad y sexo, los que fueron numerados de forma consecutiva 1, 2 y 3. El cluster 1 tuvo un porcentaje estadisticamente mas alto de personas que trabajaban por turnos, sufrian SM y que presentaron peor calidad de sueno que los otros dos clusters. Conclusiones: El trabajo por turnos se relaciona con el riesgo de sufrir SM y mala calidad de sueno. Palabras clave: trabajo por turnos, sindrome metabolico, calidad del sueno, analisis de k medias.