Occupational cold exposure is associated with neck pain, low back pain, and lumbar radiculopathy

Ambient cold exposure can pose health risks, and this study was aimed at investigating associations with musculoskeletal disorders.

A postal survey was performed on 12,627 men and women, ages 18–70 years, living in northern Sweden. Statistical associations were determined using multiple logistic regression.

The study sample consisted of 6,886 women (54.5%), and 5,741 men. Reporting high occupational ambient cold exposure was statistically significantly associated with neck pain (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.16–1.59), low back pain (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.17–1.63), and lumbar radiculopathy (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.07–1.73), after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, physical work load, daily smoking, and stress.

Ambient cold exposure during work was an independent predictor of neck pain, low back pain, and lumbar radiculopathy. In occupational health care settings, cold exposure should be recognized as a possible risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders.

Practitioner summary: This cross-sectional, survey-based study investigated associations between self-reported occupational ambient cold exposure and musculoskeletal disorders. It showed significant associations between high cold exposure and neck pain, low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. In occupational health care settings, cold exposure should be recognized as a possible risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders.