Dataset Information

Is working in a cold environment associated with musculoskeletal complaints 7-8 years later? A longitudinal analysis from the Tromso Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Exposure to a cold environment at work is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain in cross-sectional studies. This study aims to determine the association between working in a cold environment ≥ 25% of the time and musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) 7-8 years later.

Methods

We followed participants from the sixth survey (Tromsø 6, 2007-2008) to the seventh survey (Tromsø 7, 2015-2016) of the Tromsø Study. Analyses included 2347 men and women aged 32-60 years who were not retired and not receiving full-time disability benefits in Tromsø 6. Three different binary outcomes were investigated in Tromsø 7: any MSC, severe MSC, and MSC in ≥ 3 anatomical regions. We excluded participants with severe MSC, MSC in ≥ 3 regions, or missing values in Tromsø 6. The association between working in a cold environment and future MSC were examined using Poisson regression and adjusted for age, sex, number of moderate MSC, education, physical activity at work, smoking status, body mass index, and self-reported health in Tromsø 6.

Results

258 participants reported to work in a cold environment ≥ 25% of the time in Tromsø 6. They had an increased risk of having any MSC in Tromsø 7 (incidence rate ratio 1.15; 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.29). There was no significantly increased risk of severe MSC or MSC in ≥ 3 regions.

Conclusion

Working in a cold environment was associated with future MSC, but not with future severe MSC or future MSC in ≥ 3 regions.

SUBMITTER: Farbu EH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8068634 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Is working in a cold environment associated with musculoskeletal complaints 7-8 years later? A longitudinal analysis from the Tromsø Study.

Farbu Erlend Hoftun EH Höper Anje Christina AC Brenn Tormod T Skandfer Morten M

International archives of occupational and environmental health 20201123 4

<h4>Objective</h4>Exposure to a cold environment at work is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain in cross-sectional studies. This study aims to determine the association between working in a cold environment ≥ 25% of the time and musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) 7-8 years later.<h4>Methods</h4>We followed participants from the sixth survey (Tromsø 6, 2007-2008) to the seventh survey (Tromsø 7, 2015-2016) of the Tromsø Study. Analyses included 2347 men and ...[more]

PMID: 33226448

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