Young workers engaged in night shifts are at an increased risk of developing kidney stones, according to a recent study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The research indicates that night shift employees, particularly younger adults and those with low levels of manual labour, face a 15 per cent higher likelihood of experiencing kidney stone events compared to their daytime counterparts.
The study highlights that long-term shift work, defined as irregular work schedules outside conventional daytime hours, disrupts circadian rhythms, alters metabolism and hormone secretion, and influences lifestyle behaviours, all of which can contribute to adverse health outcomes.Lead investigator Yin Yang from the Department of Epidemiology at Sun Yat-sen University in China explained that lifestyle factors partially mediate the relationship between shift work and kidney stones. “We found that shift work is associated with a higher risk of kidney stone events; an association that is partially mediated by several lifestyle factors, including smoking, sleep patterns, fluid intake, and body mass index,” Yang said.
The research analysed data from over 220,000 participants, examining the relationship between shift work—including its type, frequency, and duration—and kidney stone incidence over a median follow-up period of 13.7 years. Findings underscored that younger night shift workers with limited physical activity were particularly susceptible. Kidney stone disease, a common yet preventable urological condition, has a global prevalence ranging from 1 per cent to 13 per cent. It is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and renal failure, contributing to a significant long-term disease burden.
Formation of kidney stones is influenced by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including genetics, diet, physical activity, body mass index, and other lifestyle behaviours. In an accompanying editorial, Felix Knauf from the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Mayo Clinic, US, noted that the highest risk for kidney stone formation is observed in individuals engaged in night shift work. He pointed out that “a central effect of shift work is the disruption of circadian rhythms. Homeostasis and health are underpinned by physiologic systems, virtually all of which are governed by the biologic clock that dictates the periodicity, tempo, and physiologic effects of circadian rhythms.”
The study’s findings underscore the importance of preventive measures for shift workers, particularly younger employees, including maintaining adequate hydration, regulating sleep patterns, and adopting healthy lifestyle practices. Awareness of the heightened risk may guide workplace health policies and individual practices to reduce the incidence of kidney stones among those working outside standard daytime hours. As the modern workforce increasingly engages in shift-based employment, particularly in healthcare, industry, and service sectors, such insights provide crucial guidance for managing long-term health risks associated with irregular work schedules.