Impact of Night Shifts on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Hospital Workers

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational, parallel-arm study compares hospital employees who work night shifts with those who do not. After screening, participants undergo anthropometric measurements, blood and hair sampling, and questionnaires, followed by a 2-week observation period during which 24-hour activity, glucose rhythms, and dietary intake are tracked. A second visit occurs for the night-shift group after at least two night shifts to collect follow-up samples. The goal is to understand how circadian disruptions from night work relate to metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged between 18 and 67
* Male or female
* Currently employed
* Body-Mass-Index (BMI) \<40 kg/m2
* Working hours ≥28 hours/week
* Employees working night shifts (group A): (1) Working night shifts for \>1 year, (2) at least two night shifts within the 2-week observation period
* Employees not working night shifts (group B): No night shifts for \>1 year
* Capable of giving consent
* Health insurance
* Good knowledge of German

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy and breastfeeding
* Special diets, e.g. intermittent fasting
* Severe acute or chronic diagnosed conditions, e.g., diabetes mellitus, liver or kidney disease (e.g., cirrhosis of the liver or kidney disease with a GFR \< 60), heart attack within the last 6 months, stroke, or systemic infections; current cancer or cancer diagnosed within the last 2 years
* Bariatric surgery
* Hereditary or acquired blood clotting disorders
* severe mental health conditions, e.g., substance use disorders, eating disorders, or uncontrolled depression (individual assessment by study staff, if necessary following consultation with a physician)
* Holiday in a different time zone (≥ 2 hours time difference) one month before study participation or within the 2-week observation phase
* Participation in another study that could influence the results of the current study
* Specific drug therapies that could influence the study results, e.g., antidiabetic medications including GLP-1 analogs, melatonin (Individual assessment by study staff, if necessary after consultation with a physician)
* Implanted electronic medical devices, e.g., pacemakers or neurostimulators (to be assessed on a case-by-case basis by study staff, following consultation with a physician if necessary)
* Physical or mental difficulties in understanding and following instructions from study staff

Where it's running

• Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CharitéCentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin (CC 07) + CIP - Charité Intensivpflege
  Berlin, Germany Recruiting
• Charité-Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (CCM/CVK)
  Berlin, Germany Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Olga Ramich, Prof. Dr.
• Email: olga.ramich@dife.de
• Phone: +49 33200 882749

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.