Kuan Pin Lin

Hungkuang University Department of Nursing, Taichung, Taiwan

Abstract Title: Sex-Specific Associations of Sleep Problems and Work-Related Factors with Metabolic Syndrome Among Taiwanese Workers

Biography: Kuan-Pin Lin is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Nursing at Hungkuang University. She specializes in community health nursing and chronic disease prevention. Dr. Lin earned her doctoral degree from National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences in 2014, was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2015, and to Associate Professor in 2024. In addition to teaching, she oversees curriculum planning and student development in the master’s program. She actively promotes academic–clinical collaboration to strengthen the link between education and practice. Dr. Lin is dedicated to nursing research and community health promotion, striving to enhance the quality of the professional nursing workforce.

Research Interest: Metabolic syndrome is a major occupational health concern, yet evidence on the combined influence of work-related factors and sleep characteristics remains limited, particularly regarding sex differences. This cross-sectional study examined associations among occupational conditions, sleep problems, and metabolic syndrome in Taiwanese workers. A total of 348 workers undergoing routine health examinations at a regional hospital in central Taiwan were recruited. Data were collected using questionnaires on demographics, work-related factors, job stress, and sleep quality, along with clinical measurements. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associated factors and sex-specific patterns. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 26.4%, higher in men (33.3%) than women (19.3%). In the overall sample, sleep disturbances (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.12–5.65, p = .026), sleep latency (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.34–0.93, p = .023), age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07, p = .009), shift work (OR = 3.70, 95% CI: 1.09–12.54, p = .036), and body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.31–1.56, p < .001) were associated with metabolic syndrome. Among men, sleep disturbances (OR = 3.40, p = .038) and sleep latency (OR = 0.49, p = .019) were significant predictors, whereas among women, shift work (OR = 19.44, p = .011) and BMI (OR = 1.56, p < .001) were primary factors. Job stress was not associated with metabolic syndrome. These findings highlight sex-specific pathways linking occupational exposures, sleep characteristics, and metabolic risk, supporting targeted occupational health nursing interventions.