Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes represent a global public health concern, with increasing prevalence in developing countries. Occupational factors such as sedentary behavior and night shift work may play a significant role in their development; however, there is limited information on their impact on Latin American populations. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of T2DM and prediabetes and to evaluate the association between prolonged sitting time and night shift work with glycemic changes in Peruvian workers. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 4200 workers evaluated between 2014 and 2021. Incidence rates of T2DM and prediabetes were calculated, and Cox regression models were used to assess the association between prolonged sitting time and night shift work with glycemic changes. The measure of association was the crude and adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), presented with its respective 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI). RESULTS: The incidence of T2DM was 33.1 per 1000 person-years, and that of prediabetes was 77.11 per 1000 person-years. Sitting time (≥ 4 h/day) was associated with a higher hazard of diabetes (aHR: 2.84, 95 % CI: 1.58-5.12). Night shift work also significantly increased the hazard of diabetes (aHR: 3.24, 95 % CI: 1.97-5.35). CONCLUSION: This study reveals a high incidence of T2DM and prediabetes among Peruvian workers, with significant associations between prolonged sitting time and night shift work with glycemic changes. The results underscore the importance of considering these occupational factors in T2DM prevention strategies. Implementing workplace prevention and early detection programs focused on reducing sedentary time and mitigating the effects of night shift work is recommended.