Correlates shift work with increased risk of gastrointestinal complaints or frequency of gastritis or peptic ulcer in H. pylori-infected shift workers?

AIM: There is an ongoing discussion whether work under shift work conditions enhances the ulcerogenic potential of Helicobacter pylori infections. This may be induced by a disruption of the circadian rhythm. The present study assessed whether there is an association between H. pylori infection and an increased risk of gastrointestinal complaints or frequency of gastritis or peptic ulcer in H. pylori-infected shift workers.

METHODS: We analyzed 615 workers divided in shift and daytime. Upper gastrointestinal diseases, medication or operation, unspecific gastrointestinal complaints, smoking habits, subjective job strain and private stress factors were monitored. The H. pylori status was analyzed using IgA and IgG antibody concentration in blood and qualitative ELISA for feces.

RESULTS: It was observed that 27.6% of all workers, 34.6% of the shift workers and 16% of daytime workers were Hp positive (P = 0.004). Shift workers reported reflux or pyrosis less frequently than daytime workers. No increased lifetime prevalence for gastritis, ulcus or eradication therapy was found for shift workers. Analysis revealed a weak regression between age and Hp-positive gastritis or upper gastrointestinal complaints, smoking habits were a major confounding factor for ulcus disease. Clinical manifestation of gastritis or ulcus disease did not correlate with shift work or especially shift work including night work.

CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the present study, it cannot be confirmed that there is a causal connection between shift work and upper or unspecific gastrointestinal complaints or gastritis or peptic ulcer in dependency of a H. pylori colonization.