Occupational Ergonomic Risk Factors and Neuropathic Pain Among Korean Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

OBJECTIVES: Research on the impact of ergonomic risk factors on neuropathic pain is limited. Accordingly, this study investigated the relationship between ergonomic risk exposure and neuropathic pain in a population of Korean workers. METHODS: Data were obtained from the third and fourth rounds of the Korean Working, Sleep, and Health Study. Neuropathic pain was identified using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) screening tool. The association between ergonomic risk factors and neuropathic pain was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated after adjusting for relevant confounding factors. RESULTS: Two-wheeled vehicle operation (OR = 3.66, 95% CI = 1.26-10.58), manual material handling (OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.63-4.85), kneeling or squatting (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.35-4.53), repetitive hand or finger motions (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.38-3.19), trunk flexion or twisting (OR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.25-3.63), and wrist twisting or pushing or pulling with upper limbs (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.08-3.34) were significantly associated with neuropathic pain in the fully-adjusted model. CONCLUSION: This study supports a link between ergonomic risk factors and the occurrence of neuropathic pain among Korean workers.