Physical work exposure, chronic musculoskeletal pain and risk of insomnia: longitudinal data from the HUNT study, Norway

Abstract

ObjectivesTo prospectively investigate (i) the association of physical work demands and work-related physical fatigue with risk of insomnia symptoms and (ii) if these associations are influenced by chronic musculoskeletal pain.MethodsProspective study on a working population of 8563 women and 7598 men participating in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (Norway) who reported no insomnia at baseline in 1995–1997. Occurrence of insomnia symptoms was assessed at follow-up in 2006–2008. A Poisson regression model was used to calculate adjusted risk ratios (RRs) for insomnia symptoms with 95% CI.ResultsCompared with workers without work-related physical fatigue, women and men who reported that they were always fatigued had RRs of insomnia of 2.34 (95% CI 1.72 to 3.18) and 2.47 (95% CI 1.59 to 3.83), respectively. Overall, physical work demands was not associated with risk of insomnia, although men who reported heavy physical work had an RR of 0.67 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.97) compared with men with mostly sedentary work. Compared with the reference group of workers without work-related physical fatigue and no chronic pain, analyses of joint effects showed that women with excessive work-related fatigue had an RR of 4.20 (95% CI 2.95 to 5.98) if they reported chronic pain and an RR of 1.67 (95% CI 0.87 to 3.18) if they did not. Corresponding RRs in men were 3.55 (95% CI 2.11 to 5.98) and 2.13 (95% CI 1.07 to 4.25).ConclusionThese findings suggest that there is an interplay between work-related physical fatigue and musculoskeletal pain that should receive particular attention in the prevention of insomnia in working populations.

Relação Entre O Ambiente Laboral E Problemas Osteomusculares: Um Estudo Com Profissionais De Enfermagem Em Um Hospital Escola

“…Esse dado mostra a relação da fadiga auto-referida com os sintomas físicos experenciados pelos entrevistados. A fadiga é, portanto, não apenas uma consequência do trabalho excessivo, mas também uma causa de sintomas osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho que atinge não só o sistema muscular, como também pode estar relacionado a insônia e dor crônica, diminuindo assim, a qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores 20 .…”

The Case for Comorbid Myofascial Pain—A Qualitative Review

“…Longitudinal population-based studies, as summarized by Finan et al [ 119 ] and Smith et al [ 120 ], indicate that sleep disturbances, most commonly insomnia, may predate the development of chronic regional and widespread pain. Although the association between insomnia and musculoskeletal pain is well documented [ 121 , 122 , 123 ], we found only one study exploring the association with MPS. In this prospective study, 7895 participants (1579 patients with insomnia and 6316 controls) who were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were observed for a maximum of 10 years to determine the incidence of newly diagnosed MPS.…”

Work-Related and Personal Factors in Shoulder Disorders Among Electronics Workers

“…The participants were asked to report the frequency of stress at work, and the response options were four-point categorical scale: (1) never; (2) some periods; (3) several periods; (4) permanent stress. Regarding the assessment of work-related physical fatigue, it was based on the method of Skarpsno et al [23]. Participants were asked: 'Is your work so physically demanding that you are often physically worn out after a day's work?…”