Are you working irregular hours or night shifts? New research suggests that shift workers, especially younger individuals and those in less physically demanding jobs, may face an increased risk of developing kidney stones.
A large-scale study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings reveals that people engaged in shift work are 15% more likely to suffer kidney stone events compared to those working regular daytime hours. The research, analysing data from over 220,000 participants, points to lifestyle factors such as body mass index (BMI), hydration, and disrupted sleep patterns as key contributors to this elevated risk.
The study was conducted by researchers at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, and represents the first population-based cohort analysis to examine how different shift work patterns—including night shifts, irregular schedules, and long-term shift employment—affect kidney stone incidence.
“Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms and hormone secretion, impacting metabolism and overall lifestyle,” explained Dr. Yin Yang, the study’s lead author. “Our findings show a clear link between shift work and increased kidney stone risk, partly due to behavioural and physiological changes.”
Using data from the UK Biobank Study and tracking participants over a median of 13.7 years, the study observed that those working night or irregular shifts had a higher incidence of kidney stones. Interestingly, individuals with longer histories of shift work showed a somewhat reduced risk, potentially reflecting a ‘healthy worker effect,’ where only those physiologically adapted remain in such roles.
When asked about the study findings, Dr. Himanshu Verma, Professor and Head of Dept of Nephrologist at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi explained: “Kidney stones develop when urine contains high levels of minerals and salts but insufficient fluid, leading to the formation of crystals that eventually aggregate into stones.”
He added that individuals working in shift-based jobs are particularly at risk due to a combination of lifestyle factors. “Many have a sedentary routine and spend long hours in air-conditioned environments, which often results in low water intake. Additionally, irregular working hours can lead to chronic stress, further contributing to the risk.”
Echoing Dr. Yang, Senior Nephrologist Dr. Verma also called for proactive lifestyle changes for shift workers, recommending healthy weight maintenance, increased hydration, smoking cessation, and improved sleep quality as measures to mitigate the risk.
With shift work becoming more prevalent in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, transport, and IT, these findings underscore the need for stronger occupational health policies focusing on the well-being of shift workers.
Kidney stone disease remains a major public health concern worldwide, with prevalence ranging from 1% to 13%. According to experts, there has been a 30-40% increase in kidney stone cases in India, with the majority of patients belonging to the 20-40 age group. The condition is not only extremely painful but can also lead to frequent hospitalizations, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular complications if left unmanaged.
