Effect of working time in cold environment on musculoskeletal system

The aim of this study is to reveal the effect of the working time in the cold environment and the recurrent occupational microtraumas on the musculoskeletal system. 568 individuals with a mean age of 36.9 years were included in the study. Once demographic information was obtained for each participant, Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, The Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and ACR Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria were evaluated once. The groups were formed as employees less than 2 years, 2-5 years, 5-10 years and more than 10 years according to the working years. As a result of correlations analysis on the duration and symptoms of cold in the individuals, it was seen that the increasing frequency of working in the cold increased the incidence of discomfort in the shoulder, elbow, knee and hip parts of the musculoskeletal system. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire was found to be associated with the symptom severity scale and the YFEA total score (p <0,05). In this study, it was found that working in a cold environment had a negative effect on the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee sections of the musculoskeletal system. Working in a cold environment that lasts for more than 10 years has had a negative effect on CTS symptoms. Over 5 years of working in cold environments, the effects on FM symptoms have been revealed.