Sleep complaints in former and current night shift workers: findings from two cross-sectional studies in Austria

Sleep impairment is highly prevalent in night shift workers, but evidence on the association of former work (NSW) and its metrics (duration frequency) relation to sleep complaints lacking. We evaluated current NSW with chronic insomnia or circadian rhythm disorder a sample general worker (GW) population hospital workers (HW) Austria. Information sleep, history, sociodemographic, lifestyle factors was collected through an online cross-sectional survey representative GW (N= 1,004) HW 799) between 2017 2019. Multi-variable adjusted logistic regression used estimate odds ratios (ORs) 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for various measures (including insomnia, daytime sleepiness, duration, napping habits) doctor-diagnosed across exposure (never work; ever; ever/former; ever/current) related (cumulative average frequency), compared never NSW. Effect modification by chronotype investigated. Former associated higher both samples (GW: OR = 2.28, CI 1.07–4.83; HW: 1.17, 0.60–2.27). Chronic tended increase among (HW: 1.50, 0.79–2.83), day workers. Higher frequency (shifts/month) ORper shift/month 1.06, 1.00–1.12; 1.12, 1.00–1.25). also increased sleepiness (OR 2.26, 1.28–3.99). Associations were more pronounced early chronotypes participants who reported no naps. Our results suggest that even years after cessation involvement working it.