Femoral Neck Bone Mineral Density in Persons Over 50 Years Performing Shiftwork: An Epidemiological Study

Objective: Shiftwork has been associated with bone loss due to hormonal fluctuations. Our aim was to assess the femoral neck bone mineral density and content in persons over 50 years performing shiftwork.

Methods: We performed analysis on the femoral neck bone mineral parameters in persons over age 50 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cross-sectional data for 2010 to 2011 in regular and shiftworkers. We also assessed the degree of moderate physical activity and smoking in both groups.

Results: Middle-aged men performing shiftwork had significantly higher total femur bone mineral content (37.33 ± 11.00 vs 34.09 ± 10.45, P = 0.01) and femoral neck bone mineral content (4.57 ± 1.07 vs 4.29 ± 1.0, P = 0.03). This difference was not seen in middle aged women.

Conclusions: Shiftwork does not seem to affect bone mineral density in those performing moderate physical activity.