A large international study has found that people working night shifts are at a significantly higher risk of developing kidney stones, highlighting another serious health concern linked to disrupted work schedules.
The study, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, analysed health data from nearly 2.2 lakh individuals over a 14-year period. Researchers discovered that night shift workers face about a 15 per cent higher risk of kidney stone formation compared to those working regular daytime hours.
According to the research, chronic sleep deprivation and disruption of the body’s natural circadian rhythm are key contributors to this increased risk. Experts explain that sleeping during the day does not fully compensate for lost night-time sleep, leading to long-term biological imbalances. The circadian rhythm plays a crucial role in regulating sleep, hormone release, metabolism, and kidney function.
The study also found that night shift workers tend to have lower physical activity levels, irregular water intake, unhealthy eating habits, weight gain, and higher rates of smoking — all factors known to increase the likelihood of kidney stone development.
Lead researcher Yin Yang from the Department of Epidemiology at Sun Yat-sen University in China stated that insufficient sleep, dehydration, excess body weight, and lifestyle factors collectively raise kidney stone risk among night workers. The findings showed a clear and consistent association between night shift schedules and kidney stone occurrence.
An accompanying editorial by Felix Knauf from the Mayo Clinic’s Department of Nephrology and Hypertension noted that prolonged circadian rhythm disruption can have lasting effects on kidney health and overall well-being. The editorial emphasised that long-term night work may quietly increase the burden of chronic health conditions.
Medical experts stress that while night shifts are unavoidable in many industries, workers can reduce health risks by staying well-hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and undergoing routine health check-ups.
