Control of type 1 diabetes mellitus and shift work

People with type 1 diabetes may find diabetic control more difficult when working shifts. To investigate the proportion of people with type 1 diabetes in employment undertaking shift work and diabetic control as assessed by glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) among individuals undertaking shift work compared to those not doing so. A postal questionnaire sent to all those aged 16-65 attending two city hospitals for type 1 diabetes care. HbA1c results were used to assess diabetic control. Twenty-two per cent (296 of 1370 eligible patients) responded. Sixty-seven (23%) respondents were involved in shift work. Shift workers had higher mean HbA1c values than non-shift workers (9.02 versus 8.35; P < 0.01). Poorer control of diabetes was associated with working shifts in this study. Occupational health practitioners should be aware of this association and be able to advise on management strategies to improve diabetic control while working shifts.