Sleep debt and night shifts increase infection risk: study
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A recent study has found that sleep debt and night shifts significantly raise the likelihood of developing common infections.
It highlighted the impact of sleep patterns on immune health.
Researchers from Norway discovered that sleep debt - the difference between the amount of sleep a person needs and what they actually get - correlates with a higher infection risk in a dose-dependent manner.
The study revealed that nurses working night shifts were more susceptible to several infections, particularly the common cold. The risk of pneumonia and bronchitis was found to be 129% higher in those with moderate sleep debt, while those experiencing severe sleep debt faced a staggering 288% increase in risk.
Sinusitis and gastrointestinal infections also became more common as sleep debt levels increased.
“These findings highlight the need for targeted measures to reduce infection risks among healthcare workers,” said Siri Waage of the Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders at Haukeland University Hospital. “Chronic sleep deprivation and irregular shift work not only weaken nurses' immune systems but may also affect their ability to deliver high-quality patient care.”
The study participants - primarily female nurses (90.4%) with an average age of 41.9 - provided self-reported data on their sleep duration, sleep needs, and shift work schedules. They also recorded how frequently they experienced infections over the past three months.
Findings showed that nurses with moderate sleep debt (losing between one and two hours of sleep per night) faced a 33% higher chance of catching a common cold. Those with severe sleep debt (losing over two hours) more than doubled their risk compared to those who got enough sleep.
Interestingly, while night shifts were directly linked to an increased risk of the common cold, they were not strongly associated with other types of infections.