Frequent night shifts (≥2 per week) are associated with increased risk of PMDD symptoms in Chinese female nurses
A cross-sectional study of 1,031 Chinese female nurses found that those working ≥2 night shifts per week had significantly higher risk of PMDD symptoms (p < .001). The prevalence of PMDD symptoms in this population was 42.4%, with night shift frequency identified as a significant predictor in multivariate regression.
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Frequent night shifts (≥2 per week) are associated with increased risk of PMDD symptoms in Chinese female nurses The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Frequent night shifts (≥2 per week) are associated with increased risk of PMDD symptoms in Chinese female nurses
This conclusion is most relevant to: Chinese female nurses (n=1,031).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms in Chinese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study. (Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Frequent night shifts disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles
- ▸Circadian disruption alters hormonal regulation (e.g., melatonin, cortisol, reproductive hormones)
- ▸Hormonal dysregulation exacerbates premenstrual mood and physical symptoms
- ▸Result: Increased risk of PMDD symptoms
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Chinese female nurses (n=1,031)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents establishing causality between night shifts and PMDD symptoms
- ▸Reliance on self-reported questionnaires may introduce recall bias or social desirability bias
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prevalence of PMDD symptoms among Chinese female nurses?▼
The study found a prevalence of 42.4% for PMDD symptoms in this population.
How many night shifts per week increase PMDD risk?▼
Working ≥2 night shifts per week was significantly associated with higher PMDD risk (p < .001).
What other lifestyle factors were linked to PMDD symptoms?▼
Higher BMI (24-27.9 kg/m2), weekly exercise <30 minutes, and a history of alcohol use were also associated with increased PMDD risk.
What were the main correlations with PMDD symptom severity?▼
CTDP-C scores showed strong positive correlations with depression (r=0.702), anxiety (r=0.680), poor sleep quality (r=0.493), and occupational stress (r=0.500).
References
- 1.Chen Y, Luo M, Chen Y, Mao T, Zhang Q, Liang T, Liu J, Zhang Y. “Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms in Chinese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study..” Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2026. PMID: 42522984 DOI: 10.1177/10783903261466139