Work load and work hours in relation to disturbed sleep and fatigue in a large representative sample

Objective: To study the relation between work and background factors on the one hand and disturbed sleep and fatigue on the other. Method: A representative national sample of 58,115 individuals was selected at regular intervals over a period of 20 years and interviewed on issues related to work and health. The data were subjected to a multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The number of cases was 18,828 (32.8%) for fatigue and 7347 (12.8%) for disturbed sleep. For disturbed sleep, the significant predictors became: female gender, age above 49 years, present illness, hectic work, physically strenuous work, and shift work. For fatigue, the significant predictors became female gender, age below 49 years, high socioeconomic status, present illness, hectic work, overtime work, and physically strenuous work. Conclusion: Work stress, shift work, and physical workload interfere with sleep and are related to fatigue.