Retrospective Study on the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Industrial Workers in Sharjah Industrial Area Aged 45-60 with Shift Work and Irregular Sleep Patterns
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i6.1767Keywords:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), shift work, sleep patterns, industrial workers, occupational healthAbstract
This retrospective cohort study investigated the relationship between shift work, sleep patterns, and the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among 324 industrial workers aged 45–60 years in the Sharjah Industrial Area, United Arab Emirates. Data spanning two years (April 2022–March 2024) were extracted from electronic medical records and occupational health files. The findings revealed a high incidence of T2DM (26%) among workers with irregular sleep patterns, exceeding the 18% prevalence rate reported in the general expatriate population of similar age. Notably, a dose-response relationship was observed, with diabetes incidence rising by 7.5% for every additional five years of shift work. Workers exposed to shift schedules for over ten years showed diabetes rates above 30%, while nearly one-third (29.5%) of the population was classified as pre-diabetic. Multivariable logistic regression identified irregular sleep duration (<6 hours) as an independent predictor of diabetes (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.8–3.7, p < 0.01), and prolonged shift work exposure (>5 years) significantly increased diabetes risk (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 2.0–4.5, p < 0.001), regardless of BMI, age, or sex. The highest BMI recorded in the study was 35.4 kg/m², and the peak HbA1c level observed was 9.2%. These findings underscore the significant occupational health burden of shift work and sleep disruption, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions such as structured sleep hygiene programs, optimized shift scheduling, and regular metabolic screenings in industrial populations.
Downloads
References
1. ADA. (2023). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care, 46(Supplement_1), S1–S291.
https://doi.org/10.2337/dc23-S001
2. Al howikan, A. M. (2020). Prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes among industrial workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 13, 1471–1477.
https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S254254
3. Al Maskari, F., El Sadig, M., & Al Kaabi, J. M. (2011). Prevalence of risk factors for diabetic foot complications. BMC Family Practice, 12, 59.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-12-59
4. Al Rifai, R. H., Alshammari, F., Al Busaidi, A., et al. (2021). The impact of shift work on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk among industrial workers. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 34(2), 203–212.
https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01715
5. American Diabetes Association. (2022). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2022. Diabetes Care, 45(Supplement_1), S1–S264.
https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-S001
6. Bhatti, M. A., Khoso, I., & Ismail, S. (2016). Mental health of South Asian migrant workers: A systematic review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 18(5), 1025–1037.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0299-4
7. Boivin, D. B., & Boudreau, P. (2014). Impacts of shift work on sleep and circadian rhythms. Pathologie Biologie, 62(5), 292–301.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patbio.2014.08.001
8. Buxton, O. M., & Marcelli, E. (2010). Short and long sleep are positively associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease among adults in the United States. Social Science & Medicine, 71(5), 1027–1036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.05.041
9. Chandola, T., Brunner, E., & Marmot, M. (2006). Chronic stress at work and the metabolic syndrome: prospective study. BMJ, 332(7540), 521–525.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38693.435301.80
10. Cho, N. H., et al. (2018). IDF Diabetes Atlas: Global estimates of diabetes prevalence for 2017 and projections for 2045. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 138, 271–281.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2018.02.023
11. Cowie, C. C., Rust, K. F., Byrd Holt, D. D., Eberhardt, M. S., Flegal, K. M., Engelgau, M. M., … Gregg, E. W. (2009). Prevalence of diabetes and high risk for diabetes using A1C criteria in the US population in 1988–2006. Diabetes Care, 33(3), 562–568.
https://doi.org/10.2337/dc09-1524
12. Esquirol, Y., Bongard, V., Mabile, L., Jonnier, B., Soulat, J. M., & Perret, B. (2009). Shift work and metabolic syndrome: respective impacts of job strain, physical activity, and dietary rhythms. Chronobiology International, 26(3), 544–559.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07420520902820419
13. Gan, Y., Yang, C., Tong, X., Sun, H., Cong, Y., Yin, X., … Lu, Z. (2015). Shift work and diabetes mellitus: a meta analysis of observational studies. Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 72(1), 72–78.
https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2014-102150
14. Grundy, S. M., Brewer, H. B., Cleeman, J. I., Smith, S. C., & Lenfant, C. (2005). Definition of metabolic syndrome. Circulation, 112(17), 2735–2752.
https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.169404
15. Hackett, R. A., & Steptoe, A. (2017). Type 2 diabetes mellitus and psychological stress—A modifiable risk factor. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 13(9), 547–560.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2017.64
16. Hosmer, D. W., Lemeshow, S., & Sturdivant, R. X. (2013). Applied logistic regression (3rd ed.). Wiley.
17. Hulley, S. B., Cummings, S. R., Browner, W. S., Grady, D. G., & Newman, T. B. (2013). Designing clinical research (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
18. Hu, F. B., Manson, J. E., Stampfer, M. J., et al. (2001). Diet, lifestyle, and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in women. New England Journal of Medicine, 345, 790–797.
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa010492
19. International Diabetes Federation. (2021). IDF Diabetes Atlas (10th ed.).
20. IDF. (2023). IDF Diabetes Atlas (10th ed.). International Diabetes Federation.
21. James, S. M., Honn, K. A., Gaddameedhi, S., & Van Dongen, H. P. (2017). Shift work: disrupted circadian rhythms and sleep—implications for health and well being. Current Sleep Medicine Reports, 3(2), 104–112.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-017-0070-7
22. Knutsson, A. (2003). Health disorders of shift workers. Occupational Medicine, 53(2), 103–108.
https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqg048
23. Knutsson, A., & Kempe, A. (2014). Shift work and diabetes—a systematic review. Chronobiology International, 31(10), 1146–1151.
https://doi.org/10.3109/07420528.2014.957308
24. Li, X., et al. (2020). Sleep duration and risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sleep Medicine, 74, 39–46.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.06.022
25. Liu, Y., et al. (2013). Sleep duration and chronic diseases among US adults: Evidence from the National Health Interview Survey, 2004–2013. Preventing Chronic Disease, 11, E75.
https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.130129
26. Malik, M., Bakir, A., Abi Saab, B., Roglic, G., & King, H. (2005). Glucose intolerance and associated factors in the multi ethnic population of the United Arab Emirates: results of a national survey. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 69(2), 188–195.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2005.01.001
27. Misra, A., & Khurana, L. (2011). Obesity and the metabolic syndrome in developing countries. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 93(11_supplement_1), s9–s30.
https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2011-1252
28. Musaiger, A. O., et al. (2013). Obesity and related factors among adult women in the United Arab Emirates. Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, 133(5), 298–304.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1466424013490178
29. Pan, A., Schernhammer, E. S., Sun, Q., & Hu, F. B. (2011). Rotating night shift work and risk of type 2 diabetes: two prospective cohort studies in women. PLoS Medicine, 8(12), e1001141.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001141
30. Pan, A., et al. (2011). Rotating night shift work and risk of Type 2 diabetes: two prospective cohort studies in women. PLoS Medicine, 8(12), e1001141.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001141
31. Ramachandran, A., Snehalatha, C., Kapur, A., Vijay, V., Mohan, V., Das, A. K., … Rao, P. V. (2001). High prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in India: National Urban Diabetes Survey. Diabetologia, 44, 1094–1101.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-001-0685-0
32. Reutrakul, S., & Van Cauter, E. (2018). Sleep influences on obesity, insulin resistance, and risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Metabolism, 84, 56–66.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2017.11.017
33. Setia, M. S. (2016). Methodology series module 3: Cross-sectional studies. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 61(3), 261.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.182410
34. Sheikh, I. S., Al Mazrouei, A. M., & Al Ali, A. S. (2007). Prevalence of diabetes among industrial workers in Abu Dhabi. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 5(3), 17–21.
35. Shan, Z., Ma, H., Xie, M., Yan, P., Guo, Y., Bao, W., … Liu, L. (2015). Sleep duration and risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Diabetes Care, 38(3), 529–537.
https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-2073
36. Spiegel, K., Leproult, R., & Van Cauter, E. (2005). Impact of sleep debt on metabolic and endocrine function. The Lancet, 354(9188), 1435–1439.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)01376-8
37. Spiegel, K., Tasali, E., Leproult, R., & Van Cauter, E. (2009). Effects of poor and short sleep on glucose metabolism and obesity risk. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5(5), 253–261.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2009.23
38. Sulaiman, N., Mahmoud, I., & Hussein, A. (2018). Diabetes self management: a community based intervention study in the UAE. BMC Public Health, 18, 133.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5080-6
39. Tasali, E., Leproult, R., Ehrmann, D. A., & Van Cauter, E. (2008). Slow wave sleep and the risk of type 2 diabetes in humans. PNAS, 105(3), 1044–1049.
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0711694105
40. Vetter, C., Devore, E. E., Wegrzyn, L. R., Massa, J., Speizer, F. E., Kawachi, I., … Schernhammer, E. S. (2016). Association between rotating night shift work and risk of coronary heart disease among women. JAMA, 315(16), 1726–1734.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.4454
41. Wang, X. S., Armstrong, M. E., Cairns, B. J., Key, T. J., & Travis, R. C. (2011). Shift work and chronic disease: The epidemiological evidence. Occupational Medicine, 61(2), 78–89.
https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqr001
42. Wang, X. S., et al. (2011). Shift work and chronic disease: the epidemiological evidence. Occupational Medicine, 61(2), 78–89.
https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqr001
43. Zheng, Y., Ley, S. H., & Hu, F. B. (2018). Global aetiology and epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 14(2), 88–98.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Indus Journal of Bioscience Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
