Association Between Objective and Subjective Indoor Coldness During Winter and Presenteeism: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
Yuma Uchida, Wataru Umishio, Shintaro Ando, Kazuomi Kario, Shuzo Murakami, Toshiharu Ikaga, Yoshihisa FujinoObjective:
To investigate the associations of room temperature (objective coldness) and the frequency of feeling cold (subjective coldness) with presenteeism.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study analyzed 2,568 Japanese workers (1,735 households). Room temperature was measured for two weeks in winter. The frequency of feeling cold was assessed using a four-point scale. Presenteeism was evaluated using the Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun). Generalized linear models adjusted for age, sex and other confounders.
Results:
Lower room temperature (p = 0.032) and a higher frequency of feeling cold (p < 0.001) were associated with presenteeism. However, in a simultaneous model, only the frequency of feeling cold remained significantly associated, demonstrating a dose-response relationship.
Conclusions:
Both objective and subjective indoor coldness are associated with work functioning impairment, with the subjective perception demonstrating a robust association even after adjusting for temperature.