ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The study aim was to analyze the relationship between functional thyroid pathology and the exposure to work shifts / night shifts, and describe the most prevalent thyroid disorders based on the type of shift. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study performed in the emergency department of a hospital in Almeria (Spain). Relationships between thyroxine and thyrotropin levels (TSH) and work shifts, professional category and history of thyroid pathology were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 133 workers; 80.5% female, average age was 46.11 years (38 - 65), and 52% were part of the nursing staff; thyroid disorders were more frequent in female participants. Most participants (81.2%) had rotating shifts schedules and 11.3% night shifts (12.1% female and 7.7% male). Thyroid alterations were found in 27% of the participants (usually elevated TSH levels and normal thyroxine levels), particularly in those doing night shifts (61.1%). TSH alterations were more frequent in individuals doing night shifts than in rotating shifts (53.3 vs 13.0%; p<0.001). Individuals working night shifts had mean TSH values in the normal range, although significantly higher than the individuals in the rest of the shifts; thyroxine levels were found to be similar. No thyroid disorders were found in day shift participants. Night shift and a history of thyroid pathology were independent predictors of thyroid disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Night shift schedules and history of thyroid disorders are more frequent in female, both related to the presence of thyroid disorders, indicating the need to include the evaluation of these disorders in health surveillance programs and analyze gender differences.
Subject(s)
Nursing Staff , Work Schedule Tolerance , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Thyroid Gland , Cross-Sectional Studies , Thyroxine , ThyrotropinABSTRACT
Fundamento. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la asociación entre la patologia funcional tiroidea y la exposición a turnicidad/nocturnidad laboral, y describir los trastornos tiroideos más prevalentes por turno de trabajo. Metodología. Estudio transversal realizado en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario de Almería (España). Se relacionaron los niveles de tiroxina y tirotropina (TSH) con el turno, la categoría profesional y los antecedentes de patologia tiroidea. Resultados. Se incluyeron 133 trabajadores, 80,5% mujeres, edad media 46,11 años (38 a 65) y 52% personal enfermero; las mujeres mostraron más frecuentemente antecedentes tiroideos. El 81,2% trabajaba en turno rotatorio y el 11,3% en turno nocturno (12,1% de mujeres y 7,7% de hombres). El 27% mostró alteraciones tiroideas, más frecuentemente niveles elevados de TSH con niveles normales de tiroxina, especialmente en turno nocturno (61,1%). Las alteraciones de TSH fueron más frecuentes en turno nocturno que en rotatorios (53,3 vs 13,0%; p<0,001). El turno nocturno presentó valores medios de TSH en rango normal pero significativamente superiores al resto de turnos, mientras los niveles de tiroxina fueron similares. El turno diurno no presentó alteraciones. El turno nocturno y la presencia de antecedentes fueron predictores independientes de presentar alteraciones tiroideas. Conclusiones. El turno nocturno y los antecedentes de patología tiroidea fueron más frecuentes en mujeres, y ambos se asociaron con la presencia de alteraciones tiroideas, indicando la necesidad de incluir la evaluación de dichas alteraciones en los programas de vigilancia de salud y de analizar las diferencias por sexo. (AU)
Background. The study aim was to analyze the relationship between functional thyroid pathology and the exposure to work shifts / night shifts, and describe the most prevalent thyroid disorders based on the type of shift. Methodology. Cross-sectional study performed in the emergency department of a hospital in Almeria (Spain). Relationships between thyroxine and thyrotropin levels (TSH) and work shifts, professional category and history of thyroid pathology were analyzed. Results. The study included 133 workers; 80.5% female, average age was 46.11 years (38 65), and 52% were part of the nursing staff; thyroid disorders were more frequent in female participants. Most participants (81.2%) had rotating shifts schedules and 11.3% night shifts (12.1% female and 7.7% male). Thyroid alterations were found in 27% of the participants (usually elevated TSH levels and normal thyroxine levels), particularly in those doing night shifts (61.1%). TSH alterations were more frequent in individuals doing night shifts than in rotating shifts (53.3 vs 13.0%; p<0.001). Individuals working night shifts had mean TSH values in the normal range, although significantly higher than the individuals in the rest of the shifts; thyroxine levels were found to be similar. No thyroid disorders were found in day shift participants. Night shift and a history of thyroid pathology were independent predictors of thyroid disorders. Conclusions. Night shift schedules and history of thyroid disorders are more frequent in female, both related to the presence of thyroid disorders, indicating the need to include the evaluation of these disorders in health surveillance programs and analyze gender differences. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Shift Work Schedule , Thyroid Diseases , Health Personnel , Cross-Sectional Studies , Spain , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
Introducción: Las agresiones en el trabajo son un problema en auge en profesiones de atención al público, siendo la profesión sanitaria una de las más afectadas. Existe una importante infradeclaración de agresiones. Objetivos: Conocer el nivel de infradeclaración y analizar sus motivos. Comparar grupos de trabajadores declarantes y no declarantes. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo, realizado en un hospital de segundo nivel, en 2011. Se ha elaborado una encuesta previamente pilotada, aplicándola a los profesionales de los servicios con mayor registro de agresiones. Resultados: Del total de encuestas obtenidas (250), se encontraron 102 agresiones, 69 casos no habían sido registrados (67.6%), la mayoría verbales. Los principales motivos para no declarar las agresiones fueron: creer que el registro es inútil 32.8%, o considerar normal las agresiones 25.4%. Perfil del profesional agredido: mujer, 37 años, enfermera del área de urgencias del turno de mañana. Perfil del agresor: paciente o su familiar, varón, 42.5 años. Los trabajadores que más notificaron las agresiones fueron quienes realizaban trabajo a turnos (61.2%) y los solteros (69.6%). Conclusiones: En muchas ocasiones los trabajadores sanitarios minimizan los episodios violentos, por ello es necesario formarlos en la importancia del registro de agresiones de cualquier tipo (AU)
Introduction: the aggressions in the place job are a growing problem in customer service professions; the health workers are too affected. There is an important under registration. Objectives: Know the level of under registration and analyze their motivations. Compare two groups of workers: who reported and who didn't report. Methodology: is an observational and descriptive assessment, performed in a second level hospital, in 2011. The workers filled a questionnaire previously piloted. Results: were obtained 250 surveys, there were 102 assaults, 69 cases were not declared, the most were verbal. The leading motivations for under registration were: believe the registry is unuseful 32.8%, or considered normal the attack 25.4%. Assaulted worker profile: woman, 37 years old, nurse of urgencies in shifts of morning. Aggressor profile: patient or relative, man, 42.5 years old. The workers who reported most frequently were singles (69.6%) and workers in shifts (61.2%). Conclusions: Too many times the health workers minimize violence episodes. Therefore is necessary training in the importance of the aggressions registries (AU)
