Open AccessAltered anorectal function in rotating shift workers: Association with autonomic dysfunction and sleep disturbance
Author(s) -
Hung JuiSheng,
Liu TsoTsai,
Yi ChihHsun,
Lei WeiYi,
Chen ChienLin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advances in digestive medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2351-9800
DOI - 10.1016/j.aidm.2015.03.002
Subject(s) - medicine , pittsburgh sleep quality index , anxiety , depression (economics) , circadian rhythm , volunteer , heart rate variability , anorectal manometry , heart rate , cardiology , physical therapy , blood pressure , sleep quality , constipation , psychiatry , insomnia , agronomy , economics , macroeconomics , biology
Summary Background We aimed to investigate whether disruption of the circadian rhythm in rotating shift work (RSW) workers would change anorectal motility and cardiac autonomic function. We also determined whether sleep and psychological status (e.g., anxiety and depression) would affect anorectal motility in RSW workers. Methods Sixteen RSW workers and 11 control individuals were involved in the study. All study participants underwent anorectal manometry and spectral analysis of heart rate variability. All participants completed three questionnaires: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire, and the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ). Results The RSW workers had a lower threshold volume for maximal urge ( p = 0.006) and greater rectal compliance ( p = 0.02), compared to the controls. The RSW workers had a greater PSQI score ( p = 0.002) and TDQ score ( p = 0.003), compared to the controls. The RSW workers had a significantly increased low‐frequency power percentage (LF%), compared to the controls ( p = 0.03). The RSW workers had a significant correlation between the resting anal sphincter pressure and high‐frequency power percentage (HF%; r = –0.62, p = 0.01), and between the R‐R interval and the threshold for maximal urge ( r = 0.51, p = 0.04). The PSQI score was significantly correlated with the threshold volume for urge ( r = 0.55, p = 0.03) and for compliance ( r = 0.51, p = 0.04) in the RSW workers. Conclusion Rotating shift workers have anorectal dysmotility and cardiac sympathetic hyperactivity. Anorectal dysmotility in RSW workers has a close relationship with cardiac autonomic dysfunction, sleep disturbance, and depression, but not with anxiety.