FEMALE night shift workers may face a significantly increased risk of developing asthma, according to a new study that analyzed data from more than 280,000 participants. The findings highlight a sex-specific vulnerability, particularly among postmenopausal women not using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and may have direct implications for occupational health practices and public health policies.
Researchers examined the association between shift work frequency and asthma prevalence in men and women using cross-sectional UK Biobank data. Adjusted logistic regression models accounted for lifestyle and demographic factors to identify potential sex differences in asthma risk.
Women who worked permanent night shifts had 50% higher odds of moderate-to-severe asthma compared to their female counterparts working daytime schedules (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.18–1.91). No significant association was observed among men (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.72–1.26), with a notable sex interaction (p=0.01). Similar patterns were observed when looking at all asthma cases and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing or whistling in the chest.
The relationship was strongest among postmenopausal women who were not using HRT. This subgroup showed nearly double the odds of moderate-to-severe asthma when working night shifts (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.24–2.87), while those on HRT did not show the same increased risk, suggesting a potential hormonal component to the observed sex difference (sex interaction p=0.02).
These findings underscore the need for more targeted occupational health interventions, particularly for women with increased exposure to night shift work. The authors suggest that modifying shift work schedules or evaluating the use of HRT in postmenopausal women may be viable strategies to reduce asthma risk.
With the number of women entering shift-based roles on the rise, this study adds an important layer to our understanding of sex-specific occupational health risks and respiratory disease prevention.
Reference:
Maidstone RJ et al. Increased risk of asthma in female night shift workers. ERJ Open Research. 2025;00137-2025.
