Objective: This study investigated the association between self-reported shift work and change in kidney function in women and men in a multi-ethnic cohort. Method: Data from the prospective HELIUS cohort (n=3812 women, 3488 men) including adults from six ethnic backgrounds based in the Netherlands, was used to assess associations between self-reported shift work and change in eGFR and ACR using sex-stratified linear regressions and mediation analyses. Results: Shift work was associated with a significant decline in eGFR but not ACR among men versus non-shift workers. No significant associations were found for change in eGFR or ACR in women overall. No evidence was found for a mediating role of traditional and lifestyle-related CKD risk factors. Conclusion: Shift work may be detrimental to kidney health. Employers and policymakers should consider addressing the potential kidney health risks of shift work, particularly in men.
Vosters et al. (Tue,) studied this question.