Association between eveningness and low back pain among public servants in Japan: a cross-sectional analysis of the Aichi Workers’ Cohort Study

Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a common occupational health problem. Chronotype, an individual’s preferred timing of activity and sleep, has been linked to pain perception. Previous studies have found a potential association between chronotype and LBP, although the findings were limited by small sample sizes and restricted population types. We investigated the association between evening chronotype (eveningness) and LBP in a cohort comprising public servants of various ages. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 4728 full-time public servants in Japan. LBP was assessed using a self-reported question. Individuals’ chronotypes were determined using the reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire. The association between chronotype and LBP was analyzed using the chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, occupation, overtime work, use of the internet/email, body mass index, smoking status, exercise habits, sedentary behavior, sleep duration, sleep medication use, and depressive symptoms. Results: In total, 30% of the subjects reported LBP. The most common chronotype was intermediate type (51%), followed by morningness (38%) and eveningness (11%). A significant association between eveningness and LBP was observed. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with eveningness had a higher prevalence of LBP than those with morningness (36.2% vs. 28.7%; odds ratio: 1.46; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.83). Conclusion: Eveningness was statistically associated with LBP in a cohort of public servants. The present findings would strengthen the association’s generalizability to more varied populations.