Biochemical hypoglycemia in female nurses during clinical shift work†
Kayoko Inoue
Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
MD, MPH and PhD candidate.
Search for more papers by this authorYuko Kakehashi
Kansai Rousai Hospital, Inaba-so 3-1-69, Amagasaki City, Hyogo, Japan
Associate Director of Nurses.
Search for more papers by this authorSuiko Oomori
Kansai Rousai Hospital, Inaba-so 3-1-69, Amagasaki City, Hyogo, Japan
Director of Nurses.
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Akio Koizumi
Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
Professor.
Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Yoshida Konoe-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.Search for more papers by this authorKayoko Inoue
Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
MD, MPH and PhD candidate.
Search for more papers by this authorYuko Kakehashi
Kansai Rousai Hospital, Inaba-so 3-1-69, Amagasaki City, Hyogo, Japan
Associate Director of Nurses.
Search for more papers by this authorSuiko Oomori
Kansai Rousai Hospital, Inaba-so 3-1-69, Amagasaki City, Hyogo, Japan
Director of Nurses.
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Akio Koizumi
Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
Professor.
Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Yoshida Konoe-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.Search for more papers by this authorWe thank F. Takagi (Chubu Rousai Hospital), K. Ohsawa (Niigata Rousai Hospital), and I. Igarashi (Yokohama Rousai Hospital) for data collection.
Abstract
Female nurses in Japan commonly experience symptoms similar to those of hypoglycemia while working. Biochemical hypoglycemia can lead to impaired cognition; thus, it is important to know the prevalence of biochemical hypoglycemia among nurses. Five hundred and sixty-eight female nurses (53% of the target population) in four hospitals completed questionnaires. They determined their blood glucose levels 12 times, at four points during three shifts. Fifty-seven nurses (10%) recorded biochemical hypoglycemia (≤3.0 mM) at least once. Multivariate analysis revealed three independent risk factors for hypoglycemia: higher coefficient of variation of blood glucose level, lower body mass index, and not smoking. Subjective symptoms were not associated with hypoglycemia. More research on hypoglycemia is needed in order to improve working environment for nurses. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 27:87–96, 2004
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