The relationship between overactive bladder, metabolic syndrome and shift work: A literature review

Could shift nurses develop overactive bladder (OAB) as a result of metabolic syndrome (MetS)? Shift work and consequent sleep disorders are risk factors of developing MetS. The aim of this literature review was to describe the correlation between MetS OAB and shift work. Search terms (free terms, MeSH): ‘metabolic syndrome’, ‘urologic diseases’; papers published in the last 10 years (2009–2019) were searched in major medical databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review). We included all randomized controlled trials, observational studies, reviews and we included papers studying MetS and OAB. Quality assessment of the papers was conducted according to the Dixon-Woods checklist. Seven articles were analysed. The literature review pointed out that insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), cholesterol and triglycerides have a relationship with MetS. The prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance increases the risk of urolithiasis especially in women. Nurses are an occupational category at risk for MetS, due mainly to shift work. All this could therefore put nurses in a position to develop OAB, but studies are needed that analyse the urinary habits of this professional category to prevent bad habits and reduce absenteeism.