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A new study has revealed that women who work night shifts are about 50% more likely to develop moderate to severe asthma compared to women who work only during the day. This increased risk was not observed in men, highlighting a gender-specific vulnerability linked to night shift work.
The research, published in ERJ Open Research and led by scientists from the University of Manchester, analyzed health data from more than 270,000 participants in the UK Biobank. Of these, over 5% had asthma, with nearly 2% suffering from moderate or severe forms of the disease—defined as requiring both a preventer inhaler and at least one additional treatment, such as oral steroids.
Key Findings:
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Women working permanent night shifts had a 50% higher risk of moderate to severe asthma compared to those working only during the day.
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Postmenopausal women not using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) faced an even greater risk, with nearly double the likelihood of developing moderate to severe asthma compared to their daytime counterparts.
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No similar risk increase was found in men, suggesting that hormonal differences and circadian rhythm disruptions may play a significant role.
Researchers believe that the disruption of the body’s internal clock caused by night shift work may interfere with hormone levels, particularly testosterone, which is known to have a protective effect against asthma. Since women naturally have lower testosterone levels, their risk may rise further when their hormonal balance is disturbed by irregular work hours.
Dr. Robert Maidstone, the study’s lead author, emphasized the importance of further research: “Our results suggest that hormone replacement therapy might be protective against asthma for night shift workers, but more studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis”.
Experts note that while these findings highlight a significant occupational health concern, most workers cannot easily change their shift patterns. This underscores the need for additional research to identify protective measures for women in shift-based roles.
“Asthma disproportionately affects women. Women generally have more severe asthma, and a higher rate of hospitalization and death from asthma compared to men,” Dr. Maidstone said.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on recent scientific studies and is intended for informational purposes only. The findings do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between night shift work and asthma. Individuals concerned about their health or work schedules should consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.
