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

Stjernbrandt, Albin; Farbu, Elisabeth

doi:10.1080/00140139.2022.2027030

Cited by 8 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(55 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Six of the studies recruited from the general population ( Pope et al, 1997 ; Raatikka et al, 2007 ; Bodin et al, 2012 ; Farbu et al, 2019 ; Farbu et al, 2021a ; Stjernbrandt and Farbu, 2022 ), one study recruited cases and controls from a clinic ( Yagev et al, 2007 ), and the remaining 10 studies comprised of specific working populations, such as construction workers ( Burstrom et al, 2013 ), miners ( Skandfer et al, 2014 ), food processing workers ( Piedrahí;ta et al, 2004 ; Sormunen et al, 2009 ; Altuntas and Cankaya, 2020 ), store workers ( Chiang et al, 1990 ; Dovrat and Katz-Leurer, 2007 ; Ghani et al, 2020 ), army recruits ( Milgrom et al, 2003 ) or factory workers ( Pinar et al, 2013 ). The number of participants ranged from 162 to 118 258 ( Tables 2 , 3 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the studies focused on occupational exposure. However, in one study participants were asked specifically about leisure time cold exposure as well as occupational exposure ( Stjernbrandt and Farbu, 2022 ), and one used total time exposed to cold during a week ( Raatikka et al, 2007 ). The studies using season or geographical regions also include differences in leisure time exposure ( Milgrom et al, 2003 ; Burstrom et al, 2013 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The outcome measures could roughly be divided into neuropathic ( Table 2 ) or musculoskeletal pain ( Table 3 ). The neuropathic outcomes were clinically verified carpal tunnel syndrome in two studies ( Chiang et al, 1990 ; Yagev et al, 2007 ), and self-reported lumbar radiculopathy in one ( Stjernbrandt and Farbu, 2022 ). 15 of the studies included musculoskeletal pain as outcome.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The two studies on CTS found increased odds for cold exposure, either measured as self-reported cold environment at work ( Yagev et al, 2007 ), or as handling frozen food ( Chiang et al, 1990 ). In one study, the highest tertile of occupational cold exposure had significantly increased odds for lumbar radiculopathy, but not the highest tertile of leisure time cold exposure ( Table 2 ) ( Stjernbrandt and Farbu, 2022 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results for upper back (including 4 cases) ( Piedrahí;ta et al, 2004 ) and back pain lasting ≥3 months ( Farbu et al, 2019 ) were not statistically significant. One study did not find any association between leisure time cold exposure and back pain ( Stjernbrandt and Farbu, 2022 )…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Cold exposure and musculoskeletal conditions; A scoping review

Farbu

Höper²,

Reierth³

et al. 2022

Front. Physiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are major contributors to years lived with disability. Cold exposure can be a risk factor, but any conclusion is obscure.Aim: The aim of the present scoping review was to identify the existing evidence of an association between cold exposure and musculoskeletal conditions. The aim also included to consider pain in different regions and their assessment, as well as different measures of cold exposure, effect sizes, and to assess the feasibility of future systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Eligibility criteria: The studies must have: an epidemiological design, defined cold exposure to come prior to the health outcome, defined exposure and outcome(s), existence of effect estimate(s) or data that made it possible to calculate such an estimate. Further, studies were required to be in English language and published in peer-reviewed journals. Studies that had a specific goal of studying cold exposure as an aggravator of already existing health problems were excluded.Sources: We searched Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Daily and Versions(R), and Embase Classic + Embase for original studies.Charting method: The included studies were reviewed for study population, measurement of exposure and outcome, and effect size. Each publication was assessed for risk of bias.Results: The included studies were heterogeneous in populations, measures of cold exposure and musculoskeletal conditions. Most studies used self-reported data. They were mostly cross-sectional studies, only two were prospective and one was a case-control study. Associations were found for different cold exposures and regional musculoskeletal conditions, but the heterogeneity and lack of studies impeded valid synthesis of risk magnitude, or meta-analyses.Conclusion: The studies identified in this review indicate that cold exposure increases the risk of musculoskeletal conditions. However, there is a need for studies that better assess temporality between exposure and outcome. Future studies should also include better exposure assessment, including both objective measurements and measures of subjective experience of cold exposure. The heterogeneity in measurement of exposure and outcome impeded any meta-analysis.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Cold exposure and musculoskeletal conditions; A scoping review

Farbu

Höper²,

Reierth³

et al. 2022

Front. Physiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Occupational cold exposure in relation to incident airway symptoms in northern Sweden: a prospective population-based study

Stjernbrandt

Hedman

Liljelind

et al. 2022

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective To determine if occupational exposure to cold environments is associated with incident airway symptoms in previously healthy workers. Methods A prospective, survey-based, closed-cohort study was conducted on a sample of 5017 men and women between 18 and 70 years of age, living in northern Sweden. Data on occupation, occupational and leisure-time cold exposure, airway symptoms, general health, and tobacco habits were collected during the winters of 2015 (baseline) and 2021 (follow-up). Stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to determine associations between baseline variables and incident airway symptoms. Results For individuals working at baseline, without physician-diagnosed asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, reporting any occupational cold exposure was associated with incident wheeze (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.06–1.87) and incident productive cough (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.06–1.77), but not incident long-standing cough (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.74–1.29), after adjusting for age, body mass index, daily smoking, and occupational physical workload. Detailed analysis of the occupational cold exposure rating did not reveal clear exposure–response patterns for any of the outcomes. Conclusions Occupational cold exposure was robustly associated with incident wheeze and productive cough in previously healthy workers. This adds further support to the notion that cold air is harmful for the airways, and that a structured risk assessment regarding occupational cold exposure could be considered for inclusion in the Swedish workplace legislation. Further studies are needed to elaborate on exposure–response functions, as well as suggest thresholds for hazardous cold exposure.

show abstract

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

Lewis

Stjernbrandt

Wahlström

2023

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the association between occupational ambient cold exposure and neck–shoulder pain (NSP), low back pain (LBP), and radiating LBP. Methods The study cohort comprised of 3,843 working subjects in northern Sweden who answered a baseline (spring 2015) and a follow-up questionnaire (spring 2021). NSP, LBP, and radiating LBP were assessed in both surveys. Occupational cold exposure was assessed at baseline, on a whole number numerical rating scale (NRS) and categorized in quartiles. Binary logistic regression determined the association between cold exposure at baseline and incident NSP, LBP, and radiating LBP, adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, mental stress, and physical workload. Results There were statistically significant associations between high occupational ambient cold exposure (NRS 5–7 and NRS 8–10) and NSP (1.59; 95% CI 1.08–2.33 and OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.03–2.19); NRS 8–10 and LBP (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.13–2.29); and NRS 5–7 and radiating LBP (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.12–3.16). Gender-stratified analyses showed statistically significant associations between high occupational ambient cold exposure (NRS 5–7 and NRS 8–10) and NSP (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.07–3.61 and OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.06–3.67) for men and between NRS 8–10 and LBP (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.14–2.91) and NRS 5–7 and radiating LBP (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.15–4.24) for women. Conclusions Occupational ambient cold exposure was associated with NSP, LBP, and radiating LBP, and should be recognised as a possible occupational risk factor.

show abstract

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

Cited by 8 publications

References 34 publications

Cold exposure and musculoskeletal conditions; A scoping review

Cold exposure and musculoskeletal conditions; A scoping review

Occupational cold exposure in relation to incident airway symptoms in northern Sweden: a prospective population-based study

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

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About