Introduction

An increasing number of enterprises and service industries, such as mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare services, have implemented shift work schedules for their employees [1, 2]. According to statistics, shift workers now make up approximately 20% of the global labor force. However, Studies have shown that this deviation from traditional daily routines disrupts circadian rhythms and can lead to sleep disorders, resulting in a range of physiological and psychological issues that significantly impact individuals’ overall health [3,4,5].

Research has also indicated that shift work has a significant effect on various biomarkers [6], and is associated with metabolic diseases [7], cardiovascular diseases [8], mental illnesses [9], cancer [10], and more. One important biomarker affected by shift work is SUA, the end product of purine metabolism in the body. A previous review focused on several diseases and found strong links between SUA and oxidative stress and circadian rhythm processes, including aging, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative disorders [11]. Normally, SUA levels are maintained in a dynamic balance of excretion and production in the human body. However, when this balance is disrupted, it can lead to increased blood levels of uric acid, which can raise the risk of renal damage and coronary atherosclerosis [12, 13]. Unfortunately, uric acid abnormalities often go unnoticed in the early stages, as they typically appear without symptoms. This can result in delayed or inadequate treatment for patients with hyperuricemia, leading to further complications [14]. While some studies have explored the correlation between shift work and SUA levels [15], there is a lack of large population studies with diverse sources of the population. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between abnormal SUA levels in aircraft maintenance personnel and shift work, identify potential influencing factors, and provide a scientific basis for promoting the occupational health of this population.

Study design

Study population

We conducted a questionnaire survey among 3000 aircraft maintenance personnel to examine the lifestyle of participants in Beijing, China. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we collected a total of 2602 questionnaires, resulting in high recovery rate of 86.7%. The inclusion criteria required participants to be between the ages of 18 and 60, free of major illnesses in the past 6 months, and have obtained clearance from the Ethics Committee of the Beijing City Institute of Chemical Industry Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment. Additionally, participants were required to have a clear understanding of the study and provide voluntary participation. The exclusion criteria included non-standardized questionnaires, incomplete survey items, and missing uric acid results.

All participants in this study work in two patterns: regular day working, from 8:00 to 17:00 on weekday and a rotational night shift working of “day shift-night shift-rest-rest”. Specifically, night shift working pattern refers to: the first day of work is from 8:00 to 20:00, and the second day is from 20:00 to 8:00 of the third day, and then a rest period from 8:00 of the third day to 8:00 of the fifth day. The working pattern cycle starts on the fifth day from 8:00. In this study, individuals who have been working in this shift system for over six months are considered night shift workers.

Two well-trained investigators collected the information and underwent independent data cleaning and analysis to ensure the quality of the data. The stability and consistency of the questionnaire were assessed by administering it to the same group of individuals at various intervals and comparing the results. The reliability and validity of the data were confirmed through expert review and pilot testing.

Data collection

The questionnaire survey aimed to gather sociodemographic characteristics, occupational information, and lifestyle habits of the participants. This included age, date of birth, gender, and marital status, years of employment, shift work, exercise frequency, dietary habits, dietary patterns during night shifts, and circadian rhythm score.

Participants’ body height, body mass, and BMI were measured using standard methods. Blood pressure was also recorded. Biochemical indicators were assessed through venous blood and urine samples collected in the morning on an empty stomach. Uric acid levels were determined using the uricase colorimetry method, while total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and CREA levels were assessed using the enzymatic method. Additionally, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels were measured using the homogeneous method.

Circadian rhythm scale

A scale was created to measure individuals’ preference for morning, intermittent, or evening circadian rhythms. The validity of the questionnaire has been shown 0.63 [16] in previous study. Its reliability and validity were good [17]. Cronbach’s α for this scale in our study was 0.637 and the reliability coefficients were in the range of 0.6-1, indicating that the scale had internal consistency. It assessed participants’ sleep and activity preferences. A higher score on the seven items indicates a stronger inclination towards being a morning person [18], less impact of circadian rhythm on mental state, and a lower overall score. Those with a total score of 14 or less were classified as evening types, those with a score between 15 and 21 were classified as intermittent types, and those with a score of 22 or higher were classified as morning types.

Judgment criteria

According to the assessment criteria outlined in the fourth edition of the 2014 National Clinical Laboratory Operating Procedures, in conjunction with the reference range values established by our laboratory, SUA levels exceeding 420µmol/L were considered abnormal in adult males. Similarly, serum CREA levels exceeding 111umol/L, TC levels exceeding 5.20mmol/L, TG levels above 1.71mmol/L, and LDL-c levels above 111 mmol/L are also classified as anomalous. To better illustrate the BMI status of Chinese individuals, we used a lower BMI threshold than the WHO international standard. According to the established criteria [19], individuals with a BMI below 24.0 kg/m2 are categorized as having normal weight, those with a BMI ranging from 24.0 to 28.0 kg/m2 are considered overweight, and individuals with a BMI greater than or equal to 28.0 kg/m2 are classified as obese. The number of years of employment in their current position was divided into three groups: ≤9 years, 10–19 years, and ≥ 20 years.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was conducted using RStudio (version 2023.03.0 + 386; RStudio Team, 2023) and SPSS (version 27.0, SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) to compare variables between daily living habits and night shift work. Mean ± standard deviation (x̄± SD) was used and group comparisons were made using t-tests. In cases where the data did not follow a normal distribution, median (P25, P75) values were used and rank sum tests were performed. To explore the factors influencing abnormal uric acid levels, rates were used to represent variables such as night shift work, employment years, and night eating. The rates of categorical variables were described, and intergroup comparisons were made using the Chi-square test. Similarly, to investigate the risk factors associated with abnormal blood uric acid levels, rates were used to represent variables such as night shift work and night eating. The rates of categorical variables were described and differences between groups were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Binary multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the risk factors associated with uric acid abnormalities. All statistical tests were two-sided and a significance level of p < 0.05 was used.

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants

The study included a total of 2,263 participants aged 19 to 60 years, with an average age of 34.1 ± 0.2 years. The participants were divided into two groups based on their work schedule: 1,047 were night shift workers (46.3%), and 1,216 were regular day workers (53.7%). Significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of age, length of service, smoking status, dietary preferences, and exercise habits (P < 0.05). Specifically, the median age of night shift workers and regular day workers was 32 and 34 years, and the median length of service was 9 and 12 years. 499 (47.7%) of night shift workers were smokers, while 487 (40.0%) of regular day workers were smokers. Similarly, 484 (46.3%) of night shift workers had a preference for salty diets, compared to 491 (40.4%) of day workers. In terms of exercise habits, 786 (75.1%) of night shift workers engaged in sports activities, while 951 (78.3%) of day workers did so. Additionally, 557 (53.2%) of the participants consumed tea or coffee, with 626 (51.5%) of day workers. Lastly, 92 (8.8%) of night shift workers used sleep aids, compared to only 44 (3.6%) in day workers (Table 1).

Table 1 Comparison of general characteristics of subjects
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Univariate analysis of factors influencing abnormal rate of uric acid in the aircraft maintenance population

The study found that the detection rates of abnormal uric acid levels was 48.9% among night shift workers and 43.8% among regular day workers. This difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 6.125, P = 0.013). The researchers also discovered that the rate of uric acid abnormalities varied significantly based on factors such as age, years of working, frequency of night shift eating, meat and vegetable consumption, BMI, levels of LDL-c, TG, TC, and CREA (all P < 0.05; see Table 2).

Table 2 Univariate analysis of abnormal uric acid [N (%)]
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To evaluate the normality of uric acid, one-way ANOVA was used. The findings showed that among 1219 patients with normal uric acid levels, the average score on the circadian rhythm scale was 18.15 ± 2.51, while in 1044 patients with abnormal uric acid levels, the average score was 17.93 ± 2.43. This suggests a significant difference between the two groups (t = 2.08, P < 0.05).

Distribution of abnormal uric acid in night shift workers

The subjects were divided into four age groups (≤ 29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, and ≥ 50 years) and three categories based on their years of working experience (≤ 9 years, 10–19 years, and ≥ 20 years). Within each age group, those who worked night shifts had a higher incidence of uric acid abnormalities compared to those who worked regular day shifts. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Additionally, individuals with less than 10 years of experience in the shift system showed a significantly higher rate of uric acid abnormalities compared to those on regular day shifts (P < 0.05, see Table 3).

Table 3 Distribution of abnormal uric acid in night shift workers
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Multivariate logistic regression analysis of related factors of uric acid abnormality

Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with the rate of SUA abnormalities as the dependent variable (abnormal = 1, normal = 0), and the total scores of circadian rhythm and individual factors listed in the table as independent variables.

The study revealed that various factors can influence uric acid abnormalities, including circadian rhythm type, night shift work, age, the taste of diet, type of diet, smoking, overweight or obesity based on BMI classification, CREA, TC, TG, and LDL-c (P < 0.05). The odds of developing SUA abnormalities were higher in individuals with an intermittent type (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.83–2.12, P < 0.05) or evening type (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.86–2.43, P > 0.05) of circadian rhythm than in those with a morning type. Other factors associated with an increased risk of developing SUA abnormalities included engagement in night shift work, high salt intake, smoking, preference for high-meat diets, being overweight or obese, and elevated levels of serum creatinine.

Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between BMI and uric acid abnormalities, with a clear dose-response relationship. After controlling for other variables, night shift workers were 1.18 times more likely to have SUA abnormalities than regular day workers (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02–1.34, P = 0.01). To further explore the association between abnormal uric acid levels and these factors, a binary logistic regression analysis was conducted (Table 4).

Table 4 Association between abnormal uric acid levels and impact factors
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Discussion

According to the International Labor Organization, night work is defined as working between 0:00 and 5:00. The night shift workers in this study followed a “day shift-night shift-rest-rest” pattern. Previous research has shown that more than 50% of night shift workers, especially those who work at night, experience insomnia and sleep difficulties. These issues are primarily caused by disruptions in biorhythms, which can lead to fatigue, psychological stress, social issues, and systemic illnesses [15]. In a recent review, the impact of external stressors on oxidative stress and damage in humans was summarized [20]. The review found that uric acid, a compound in the body, follows a significant circadian rhythm in healthy adults, with levels peaking early in the evening [6, 21]. This rhythm was also observed in other studies, with uric acid reaching its highest levels between 12:00 and 18:00 and its lowest levels between 00:00 and 06:00 [22, 23]. However, in another study, a different rhythm was reported [24].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of SUA in night shift workers employed at an aircraft maintenance company and to identify potential factors that may contribute to the increased occurrence of SUA abnormalities.

The results of the study showed a higher rate of SUA abnormalities in the aircraft maintenance company compared to the general population in China (13.46-27.51%) [25,26,27], and in other countries [28,29,30,31,32]. There are several factors that could explain the elevated levels of SUA abnormalities. Firstly, the rate of abnormal SUA is higher among males than females [33], and the study participants were exclusively male employees. Secondly, aircraft maintenance workers were exposed to various complex factors in their work environment, including night shift work and other occupational hazards such as noise, high-altitude operations, dust, and kerosene, which could directly or indirectly impact SUA levels [34]. Finally, the company’s cafeteria offers a variety of high-fat and high-salt meals for employees, which may also contribute to the increased incidence of abnormal SUA levels [35].

In this study, the rate of SUA in night shift workers was significantly higher than that in regular day workers (P < 0.05). This finding was consistent with previous research [36], which showed a positive correlation between sleep duration and the likelihood of abnormal SUA. Specifically, a shorter sleep duration of sleep was found to be associated with a higher rate of abnormal uric acid. It is important to note that night shift workers face greater challenges in obtaining adequate and high-quality sleep than regular day workers [1, 37,38,39]. Correspondingly, the proportion of sleep aids used was significantly higher among night shift workers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a lower circadian rhythm score indicates a reduced adaptation to the demands of night work [18]. The results of multi factorial analysis support the hypothesis that circadian rhythms play a significant role in the occurrence of abnormal uric acid. However, several studies have shown that individuals with higher circadian rhythm scores exhibit enhanced activity levels, suggesting that they are less affected by circadian rhythms in terms of their physical energy [40]. Further investigation is warranted to explore the tolerance to sleep-related night shift work.

In healthy individuals, approximately two-thirds of uric acid is excreted through the kidneys [41]. In our study, we found that higher levels of CREA increased the risk of developing SUA abnormalities. Several other studies have also demonstrated that the risk of developing SUA abnormalities was higher in individuals with abnormal level of CREA compared to those with normal level of CREA [42]. On one hand, elevated levels of SUA can lead to the formation of urate crystals, which may accumulate in the kidneys, triggering inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and damage to the renal tubules. This can also lead to blockages in the renal tubules, further contributing to renal damage. On the other hand, impaired renal processing of uric acid plays a significant role in hyperuricemia development, including decreased glomerular filtration rate, increased reabsorption, and insufficient secretion of uric acid from the renal tubules [43, 44].

Strengths and limitations of this study

This study has several notable strengths. Firstly, it is the first investigation to explore the potential association between night shift work and SUA abnormalities among aircraft maintenance workers. This is a significant contribution to the existing literature on the topic. Secondly, the study had a larger sample size than previous research, thereby reinforcing the credibility of our findings. Thirdly, we utilized a novel approach by evaluating the risk of developing SUA abnormalities in relation to the circadian rhythm score, which has not been reported in other studies and adds a unique perspective to our findings.

However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of this study. Firstly, the participants were limited to aircraft maintenance workers, which may limit the generalizability of our findings to a wider population or other workplaces. Despite this limitation, it is worth noting that this group exhibited diverse characteristics that are the representative of the general population, including a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (39.1% and 34.2%, respectively). These rates are comparable to those reported in the same district for the years 2016–2017 [45]. Secondly, our study did not take into account important confounding factors, such as exposure to physical and chemical occupational hazards (noise, high-altitude operations, and aviation kerosene). This may have affected the results of our study. Thirdly, because our study was cross-sectional, we cannot establish a causal relationship between the prevalence of abnormalities in SUA and night shift work. However, it is reasonable to infer that night shift work may be an independent risk factor for developing SUA abnormalities.

Fortunately, we have access to comprehensive data for this population, which presents opportunities for further investigation. For example, future research could gather information on occupational hazard exposure, circadian rhythm of SUA levels [46, 47], mental well-being [48, 49], and longitudinal data. By analyzing the mediating role of these factors in the relationship between SUA levels and night shift work, we can better understand the detrimental effects of night shift work on the health of employees and potentially reduce it, enhancing their adaptability to night shift work.