Industry-research collaboration makes effective treatment of Shift Work Disorder a real possibility
A new, first-of-its-kind study in Shift Work Disorder is an important first step in identifying potential targets for treatment of this debilitating disorder.
Shift workers are at high risk of sleepiness and insomnia, which lead to impaired alertness together with associated occupational and personal health risks. Some shift workers are at increased risk of excessive sleepiness and insomnia due to their work schedules. A better understanding of the underlying basis for individual vulnerability to shift work and sleep loss will help to facilitate the development of personalised countermeasures and improve workplace and public safety.
The study, which plans to extend the existing Shift Work Disorder Questionnaire (SWDQ) using objective measurements of impairment in a shift working population, will be undertaken by experts in the MICCN Sleep Program at Monash University, and supported by Teva Pharma Australia Pty Ltd (Teva), a company committed to increasing access to high-quality healthcare for people across the globe – at every stage of life – by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic drugs as well as innovative and specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
“The SWDQ is the first validated subjective screening tool for Shift Work Disorder that directly assesses the symptoms of insomnia and excessive sleepiness associated with a work schedule*,” MICCN’s Dr Tracey Sletten explained. “In partnership with Teva, we plan to further develop the questionnaire, and to examine genetic markers of vulnerability to Shift Work Disorder. This, in turn, will contribute to a better understanding of individual vulnerability to shift work, facilitating the development of individualised countermeasures.”
Dr Sletten added, “An improvement to the SWDQ could mean wide dissemination of the questionnaire to general practitioners, psychiatrists and sleep physicians, to ultimately help to improve precision in screening and diagnostic tools – an important step forward in the management of Shift Work Disorder.”
Sahisha Ketheeswaran, Medical Manager at Teva stated “We are excited about the prospect of playing a key role in improving the health of people suffering from Shift Work Disorder, thus enhancing safety for everyone, in both their work and personal settings.”
For more information on the study, please contact Dr Tracey Sletten, T: 03 9902 0734,
E: tracey.sletten@monash.edu.
To collaborate with us on any of our studies, in order to deliver real impact, please contact MICCN’s industry engagement team:
Dr Jodie Palmer, T: 03 9902 0835, E: Jodie.Palmer@monash.edu
Dr Andrew Tucker, T: 03 9905 0864, E: Andrew.Tucker@monash.edu
*Barger et al, 2012