Night Work and Social Jet Lag: Pathways to Arterial Stiffness?

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These conditions, characterized by multifactorial etiology, are associated with arterial stiffness, and adequate sleep serves as a preventive factor. Professionals engaged in night work are at an increased risk of premature vascular aging due to potential disruption of the sleep-wake cycle and sleep restriction. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between duration of exposure to night work and arterial stiffness in nursing professionals. A total of 63 nursing professionals working rotating shifts participated in the study. Arterial stiffness was measured using oscillometric pulse wave velocity, and sleep-wake patterns were monitored using actigraphy. Path analysis revealed no direct association between duration of night work exposure and arterial stiffness in the professionals studied. However, an increase of 1 standard deviation (SD) in social jet lag duration was significantly associated with a 0.212 SD increase in perceived stress (p = 0.047). Furthermore, an increase of 1 SD in social jet lag duration was significantly associated with a 0.093 SD increase in the highest pulse wave velocity (p = 0.034). Thus, an association was found between increased social jet lag and elevated pulse wave velocity, an independent predictor of higher cardiovascular risk.