Association Between Objective and Subjective Indoor Coldness During Winter and Presenteeism: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Objective: 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.