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Schlafstörungen bei Ärzten im Schichtdienst

Sleep disorders among physicians on shift work

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Zusammenfassung

Schlafmangel und Schlafstörungen bei Ärzten im Schichtdienst können sowohl direkte gesundheitliche Folgen als auch indirekte, durch Leistungsminderung negative Auswirkungen auf die Patientensicherheit haben. Selbst bei optimaler äußerer Anpassung an Schichtarbeit und Schlafausgleich tagsüber ist Schlafmangel bei Ärzten häufig. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, Ursachen und Konsequenzen von Schlafstörungen bei Ärzten zu diskutieren sowie Verbesserungsmaßnahmen zur Adaptation bei Schichtarbeit aufzuzeigen.

Risikofaktoren für die Entwicklung von Schlafstörungen bei Ärzten reichen von genetischen Faktoren bei ca. 15 % der Bevölkerung, Alter über 50 Jahre, komorbid vorhandenen, jedoch oft nichtdiagnostizierten schlafmedizinischen Erkrankungen, Alkoholmissbrauch bzw. Schlafmangel durch Mehrfachbelastungen in Klinik (mit Schichtarbeit), Forschung, Lehre und Familie. Mehrere Studien weisen auf eine erhöhte Fehlerrate von übermüdeten Ärzten hin. Schichtarbeiter haben ein erhöhtes Risiko für psychiatrische, kardiovaskuläre und möglicherweise auch für Krebserkrankungen. Es bestehen Zusammenhänge zwischen kurzer Schlafdauer und gestörter Nahrungsaufnahme, Diabetes mellitus, Adipositas, Bluthochdruck oder koronarer Herzerkrankung. Nikotin- und Alkoholkonsum sind bei Schichtarbeitern häufiger. Sozioökonomisch zeigen sich erhöhte Krankenstände und Unfallraten bei Ärzten auf dem Nachhauseweg, insbesondere nach Nachtschichten.

Um die Leistungsfähigkeit zu verbessern und Ermüdungserscheinungen zu vermindern, sind Kurzschlafepisoden („naps“) während der Schicht, evtl. in Kombination mit Koffein, wirksame Coping-Strategien. Wenn die Naps zu einem Zeitpunkt mit niedrigem zirkadianen Schlafdruck stattfinden, sind sie weniger effektiv, da die Betroffenen nicht immer einschlafen können. Helle Beleuchtung und blaues Licht unterstützen die Wachheit während der Schicht. Bereits auf dem Nachhauseweg von der Schicht sollte direkte Sonnenlichtexposition auf die Retina vermieden werden, z. B. durch Tragen dicht abschließender, sehr dunkler Sonnenbrillen oder von Brillen mit orangenen Gläsern. Nach Schichtende sollte in sehr dunkler Umgebung geschlafen werden, um die endogene Melatoninsekretion nicht zu behindern, was als Nachtsignal gilt und die Schlafkontinuität fördern soll. Schlafstörungen können mit richtigem Umgang mit Licht, Verhaltensstrategien und Umgebungsstrategien therapiert werden, um Schlafdefizite möglichst gut zu kompensieren. Erschöpfung durch Schlafmangel kann nur durch Schlafen konsequent therapiert werden.

Abstract

Sleep disorders in physicians who perform shift work can result in increased risks of health problems that negatively impact performance and patient safety. Even those who cope well with shift work are likely to suffer from sleep disorders. The aim of this manuscript is to discuss possible causes, contributing factors and consequences of sleep disorders in physicians and to identify measures that can improve adaptation to shift work and treatment strategies for shift work-associated sleep disorders. The risk factors that influence the development of sleep disorders in physicians are numerous and include genetic factors (15 % of the population), age (> 50 years), undiagnosed sleep apnea,, alcohol abuse as well as multiple stress factors inherent in clinical duties (including shift work), research, teaching and family obligations. Several studies have reported an increased risk for medical errors in sleep-deprived physicians. Shift workers have an increased risk for psychiatric and cardiovascular diseases and shift work may also be a contributing factor to cancer. A relationship has been reported not only with sleep deprivation and changes in food intake but also with diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension and coronary heart disease. Nicotine and alcohol consumption are more frequent among shift workers. Increased sickness and accident rates among physicians when commuting (especially after night shifts) have a socioeconomic impact. In order to reduce fatigue and to improve performance, short naps during shiftwork or naps plus caffeine, have been proposed as coping strategies; however, napping during adverse circadian phases is less effective, if not impossible when unable to fall asleep. Bright and blue light supports alertness during a night shift. After shiftwork, direct sunlight exposure to the retina can be avoided by using dark sunglasses or glasses with orange lenses for commuting home. The home environment for daytime sleeping after a night shift should be very dark to allow endogenous melatonin secretion, which is a night signal and supports continuous sleep. Sleep disorders can be treated with timed light exposure, as well as behavioral and environmental strategies to compensate for sleep deprivation. Fatigue due to sleep deprivation can only be systematically treated with sleep.

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Abb. 1

Notes

  1. New York Times 03.03.2009, Washington Post 28.11.2006.

  2. http://www.cet.org/cet-online-store/protective-eyewear/ (unabhängige, nichtkommerzielle Organisation).

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Einhaltung ethischer Richtlinien

Interessenskonflikt V. Wenzel und O. Schlafer geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht; mögliche Interessenskonflikte B. Högl: Honorare für Vorträge, Advisory Board oder Consulting von Mundipharma, UCB, GlaxoSmithKline, Otsuka, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Sanofi, Respironics; Reiseunterstützung von Habel Medizintechnik und Vivisol, Stipendium an die Abteilung: UCB. Dieser Beitrag enthält keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren.

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  1. Universitätsklinik für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Österreich

    O. Schlafer & V. Wenzel

  2. Universitätklinik für Neurologie, Schlaflabor und Spezialambulanz für Schlafstörungen, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich

    B. Högl

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  1. O. Schlafer
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Schlafer, O., Wenzel, V. & Högl, B. Schlafstörungen bei Ärzten im Schichtdienst. Anaesthesist 63, 844–851 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00101-014-2374-z

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