Shift work and environmental exposures are known to be a pivotal factor in immunophysiological dysfunctions, arising from the disruption of circadian rhythms. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of circadian disruption on some inflammatory and hematological markers in workers at the Kufa Cement Plant in Najaf, Iraq, from January to July 2025.
We adopted a cross-sectional analytical approach, categorizing subjects based on their shift schedules (day and night). Blood samples were taken in a uniform manner and used to measure the serum concentrations of IL-6, C-reactive protein CRP, ferritin, and Hb.
This study showed that IL-6, CRP and ferritin concentrations were significantly increased, revealing the presence of systemic inflammatory activation, and hemoglobin concentrations were significantly decreased. Changes were more pronounced in night shift workers compared to day shift workers.
Overall, these results offer robust evidence that circadian misalignment, enhanced by occupational hazards, plays a role in the immune dysfunction, inflammatory iron dyshomeostasis, and the hematological status. These findings highlight a need for greater consideration of circadian health considerations in occupational health programs to reduce long-term health risks in industrial workers