Work

Occupational ergonomic risk factors and neuropathic pain among South Korean workers: a cross-sectional analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: 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 South Korean workers. METHODS: Data were obtained from the third and fourth rounds of the Korean Work, 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% 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, extension, or lateral bending (OR = 2.13; 95% CI, 1.25-3.63), and wrist twisting, 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. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a link between ergonomic risk factors and neuropathic pain among South Korean workers.

Source: Journal of Occupational Health

DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiag021

Authors: Jeong Woo Park, Mo-Yeol Kang, Seong-Sik Cho, Seong-Soo Choi