Determination of nutritional status and cognitive functions of shift worker hospital personnel

Shift work leads to a more irregular living conditions than daytime work. Especially due to changes in circadian rhythm, some hormones, gastric secretion, bronchial activity, metabolic rate, sleep quality and duration with appetite balance changes are detected. Experience low cognitive function, impaired short-term memory weakness and fatigue may be in shift workers. In this study, it is aimed to investigate changes in nutritional status and impairments in cognitive functions such as attention, memory and executive functions due to the deterioration of circadian rhythm in hospital personnel such as doctors, nurses, health officers and security guards working shifts. This study was carried out between July and August 2021 with 100 volunteers (Shift: 50, Non-Shift: 50) between the ages of 25 and 50. Sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional status and cognitive functions of individuals were evaluated by questionnaire form. The mean age of individuals is 36.2±6.82 years. It was determined that individuals working shifts drank alcohol, had chronic diseases and skipped meals at a higher rate than individuals who worked without shifts. In addition, it was observed that individuals working shifts had less daily water consumption and more coffee and tea consumption than non-shift individuals (p<0.05). According to anthropometric measurements, only ıt was determined that women working shifts had a higher body mass index (BMI) than women who worked non-shifts (p<0.05). The mean daily milk, yogurt and kefir consumption was 251.9±159.95 ml in working shifts and 234.6±142.29 ml in working non-shift (p>0.05). The mean daily vegetable and fruit consumption was 380.8±160.20 g in working shifts and 413.4±276.63 g in working non-shift (p>0.05). It was found that the mean daily consumption of bread and other cereals in shift worker was higher than working non-shift (p>0.05). Cognitive evaluation score for shift and non-shift workers, respectively; 24.2±2.91 and 25.8±2.37 (p<0.05). While there were no individuals with cognitive impairment among non-shift workers, 6.0% of individuals working shifts had cognitive impairment. The cognitive assessment score of individuals in the normal BMI range (25.9±2.54) was found to be statistically significantly higher than that of obese individuals (24.2±2.93) (p<0.05). The mean score of working people in shifts on the morningness and eveningness score (46.8±10.05) was found to be lower than the score of non-shift workers (53.4±7.94) (p>0.05). Negative correlation was found between cognitive assessment score and BMI was determined (p<0.05). Positive correlation was found between dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-6, vitamin E, vitamin K and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score in shift workers. Negative correlation was found between dietary intake of vegetable protein, fibre, insoluble fibre, vitamin A, thiamine, niacin, folate, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score in shift workers. Negative correlation was found between the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire score and dietary intake of omega-3 in non-shift workers. Positive correlation was found between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score and the Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire score in shift workers (p<0.05). As a result, shift work was found to have an associated with nutritional status and cognitive function.