The Effect of Employment Status and Work Schedule on All-cause Dementia: A Longitudinal Analysis From the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the effect of employment status and work schedule on all-cause dementia.

METHODS

A total of 10,349 participants from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (mean age 47 years) were recruited. Work information was gathered using a self-reported questionnaire. Dementia was defined as per International Classification of Disease-10 codes. The Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model was used for analysis.

RESULTS

Unemployment and rotating shift work increased the risk of all-cause dementia (HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.18-2.64 and HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.23-2.91, respectively). No statistically significant association was observed for only night shift work or volunteering. There was no dose-response relationship between years of shift work and risk of dementia.

CONCLUSION

Unemployment and rotating shift work were associated with increased risk of all-cause dementia, suggesting these may be potential modifiable risk factors for dementia.