ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Moonlighting is a largely discussed, however under-explored, subject among physician residents. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the frequency of moonlighting and its related factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional study enrolled medical residents from all geographical regions of Brazil. METHODS: A web-based structured closed-ended survey was applied that explored the frequency and type of moonlighting, residency programs characteristics, and psychological distress. The questionnaire was published on social networks. RESULTS: The completion rate was 71.4% (n = 1,419) and 37.7% were males aged 28.8 ± 3.2 (mean ± standard deviation) years, and 571 (40.2%) were post-graduate year (PGY) 1. There were residents from 50 medical specialties (the most common training area was clinical, 51.9%). A total of 80.6% practiced moonlighting, with an average weekly workload of 14.1 ± 9.4 h, usually overnight or in weekend shifts. Factors related to it were being PGY-2 or higher (adjusted odds ratio = 3.90 [95% confidence interval = 2.93–5.18], logistic regression), lower weekly residency duty hours (0.98 [0.97–0.99]), and a higher salary (1.23 [1.08–1.40]). In contrast, perception of a “fair/adequate” compensation was influenced by age (1.02 [1.01–1.02]), not being single (1.05 [1.01–1.10]), and residency duty hours (1.51 [1.22–1.88]). Depression, anxiety, diurnal somnolence scores, and work-personal life conflicts were not correlated with moonlighting status. CONCLUSION: Moonlighting frequency is high, and it is related to higher PGY, briefer residency duty hours, and the perception that remuneration should be higher. This study provides insights into the motivations for moonlighting and effort-reward imbalance.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Moonlighting is a largely discussed, however under-explored, subject among physician residents. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the frequency of moonlighting and its related factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional study enrolled medical residents from all geographical regions of Brazil. METHODS: A web-based structured closed-ended survey was applied that explored the frequency and type of moonlighting, residency programs characteristics, and psychological distress. The questionnaire was published on social networks. RESULTS: The completion rate was 71.4% (n = 1,419) and 37.7% were males aged 28.8 ± 3.2 (mean ± standard deviation) years, and 571 (40.2%) were post-graduate year (PGY) 1. There were residents from 50 medical specialties (the most common training area was clinical, 51.9%). A total of 80.6% practiced moonlighting, with an average weekly workload of 14.1 ± 9.4 h, usually overnight or in weekend shifts. Factors related to it were being PGY-2 or higher (adjusted odds ratio = 3.90 [95% confidence interval = 2.93–5.18], logistic regression), lower weekly residency duty hours (0.98 [0.97–0.99]), and a higher salary (1.23 [1.08–1.40]). In contrast, perception of a “fair/adequate” compensation was influenced by age (1.02 [1.01–1.02]), not being single (1.05 [1.01–1.10]), and residency duty hours (1.51 [1.22–1.88]). Depression, anxiety, diurnal somnolence scores, and work-personal life conflicts were not correlated with moonlighting status. CONCLUSION: Moonlighting frequency is high, and it is related to higher PGY, briefer residency duty hours, and the perception that remuneration should be higher. This study provides insights into the motivations for moonlighting and effort-reward imbalance.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the clinical (disease activity and exocrine gland function), laboratory, interleukin 6 (IL-6) serum levels, and IL-6-174G/C (rs1800795) genetic polymorphisms among rheumatoid arthritis (RA), RA plus Sjögren’s syndrome (RA+SS), and control subjects. METHODS: A case-control study enrolling 137 women (52±11 years old) were divided into three groups as follows: RA (n=70), RA+SS (n=29), and healthy control (C, n=38). Individuals underwent clinical evaluation composed of Schirmer’s test, unstimulated salivary flow rate, and evaluation of disease activity and functional capacity (Disease Activity Score [DAS28] and Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]). IL-6 serum levels and IL-6-174G/C polymorphisms were assessed. RESULTS: RA and RA+SS presented higher serum levels of IL-6 than controls (p<0.001). Also, higher IL-6 levels were related to swollen joints (p=0.038), limited functional capacity (p=0.004), and disease activity (p≤0.001). However, neither IL-6-174G/C genetic polymorphism nor its allele frequency was associated with RA or RA+SS. CONCLUSION: IL-6 serum is an important marker of RA activity and functional incapacity, but IL-6-174G/C genetic polymorphism did not differ among healthy controls and cases.