Association between Shift Work and Reflux Esophagitis: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between shift work and reflux esophagitis verified by endoscopic findings. Participants underwent a comprehensive health examination and esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2011 and December 2018. We examined endoscopic findings and performed multivariate-adjusted regression analysis of the association between shift work and reflux esophagitis using multiple demographic and clinical factors. Among the 247,450 participants, 49,767 (20.1%) had reflux esophagitis; Los Angeles (LA)-M (31,132, 12.6%) was most common, followed by LA-A (16,213, 6.6%), LA-B (2333, 0.9%), and >= LA-C (89, 0.04%). The multivariate-fully adjusted odds ratio (OR) of overall reflux esophagitis for shift work compared to fixed day work was 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-1.19). When classified according to shift work type and severity of reflux esophagitis, the ORs of LA-A for regular day and night, and irregular shifts compared to fixed day works were 1.14 (95% CI: 1.03-1.26) and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.11-1.44), respectively. However, there was no significant association between any shift work schedule and >= LA-B. Overall, we demonstrated the cross-sectional association between shift work (especially rotating and irregular shifts) and mild reflux esophagitis (<= LA-A) compared with daily fixed time shifts.

Automated summary

This study found an association between shift work (especially rotating and irregular shifts) and mild reflux esophagitis, but no significant association with moderate to severe reflux esophagitis.