Shifts with nights and migraine prevalence among nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Gómez-Torres, Piedad ; Ruger-Navarrete, Azahara ; Lasso-Olayo, Laura (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Blázquez-Ornat, Isabel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Peña-Otero, David ; Galarreta-Aperte, Sergio

Resumen: Background: Fixed night work and rotating schedules including nights may contribute to migraine via sleep disruption and circadian misalignment, but evidence is inconsistent and definitions vary. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared past-year migraine prevalence in nurses working night-inclusive schedules versus day-only or non-night schedules.

Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261304288), we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library from inception to 3 February 2026 (English/Spanish). Observational studies in nurses (≥18 years) reporting past-year migraine prevalence by shift pattern were eligible. All included studies assessed past-year prevalence; pooled PRs reflect 1-year prevalence. Crude prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated from contingency tables and pooled quantitatively. Risk of bias was assessed with the JBI prevalence checklist.

Results: We identified 54 records; 4 studies were included (N = 3843) of which 3323 participants contributed to the comparative meta-analysis because complete disaggregated data were available to construct contingency tables. The pooled association between night-inclusive schedules and migraine prevalence was not statistically significant (PR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.82–1.10; I2 = 0%). Secondary intensity contrasts were inconclusive (high vs. low: PR = 1.24, 95% CI 0.46–3.36; high vs. zero nights: PR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.38–1.93). Conclusions: Current nurse-specific evidence does not show a statistically significant difference in migraine prevalence between night-inclusive and non-night schedules; however, the small evidence base and limited generalizability preclude firm conclusions. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify this association.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14060774

Año: 2026

Publicado en: Healthcare (Switzerland) 14(6), 774 (2026), 15
ISSN: 2227-9032

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Enfermería (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)