The effect of employment status and work schedule on all-cause dementia: a longitudinal analysis from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.

Khaing, Kay; Dolja-Gore, Xenia; Nair, Balakrishnan R; Byles, Julie; Attia, John · J Occup Environ Med · 2026

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

This study assessed the effect of employment status and work schedule on all-cause dementia. 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 sub-distribution hazard model was used for analysis. 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. Unemployment and rotating shift work was associated with increased risk of all-cause dementia, suggesting these may be potential modifiable risk factors for dementia.