Prevalence of Wrist and Shoulder Pain in Smokers and Non-Smokers Male Students of Institutes

Background: Smoking is a recognized risk factor for various musculoskeletal disorders due to its effects on vascular perfusion, tissue healing, and systemic inflammation, yet evidence regarding its association with wrist and shoulder pain among young adult populations remains limited and inconclusive. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of wrist and shoulder pain among male smokers and non-smokers aged 18–25 years in university settings and to explore potential associations between smoking status and musculoskeletal symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 116 male university students in Lahore, Pakistan, recruited through purposive sampling. Participants completed the Shoulder and Wrist Pain Questionnaire and a Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity. Smoking status, pain prevalence, and potential confounding factors were recorded. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and calculation of odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to assess associations between smoking and musculoskeletal pain. Results: Among participants, 68 (58.6%) were smokers and 48 (41.4%) were non-smokers. Wrist pain was reported by 45.6% of smokers and 41.7% of non-smokers (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.54–2.40; p = 0.717), while shoulder pain was reported by 54.4% of smokers and 58.3% of non-smokers (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.43–1.81; p = 0.728). No significant association was observed between smoking status and pain prevalence. Conclusion: Although smokers demonstrated higher frequencies of wrist and shoulder pain, differences were not statistically significant, suggesting that in young male university populations, smoking may not substantially influence musculoskeletal pain prevalence, warranting further large-scale research.