The association between cold exposure and musculoskeletal disorders: a prospective population-based study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Epidemiology
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Neck-shoulder pain (NSP), low back pain (LBP), and radiating LBP are prevalent musculoskeletal complaints.
• Occupational environmental factors, such as cold exposure, are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between occupational ambient cold exposure and the incidence of NSP, LBP, and radiating LBP.
• To identify cold exposure as a potential occupational risk factor for specific pain conditions.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 3,843 working individuals in northern Sweden completed baseline (2015) and follow-up (2021) questionnaires.
• Occupational cold exposure was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS) and categorized into quartiles.
• Binary logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusting for relevant covariates, to determine associations.

Main Results:

• Significant associations were found between high occupational cold exposure (NRS 5-10) and increased odds of NSP, LBP, and radiating LBP.
• Gender-specific analyses revealed notable associations for men with NSP and for women with LBP and radiating LBP.

Conclusions:

• Occupational ambient cold exposure is significantly associated with NSP, LBP, and radiating LBP.
• Cold exposure should be considered a potential occupational risk factor for these pain conditions.