Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common work-related health problems. As low back disorders (LBD) are the most problematic, the aim of this study was to provide an in-depth analysis of the nationwide data on sick leaves due to work-related LBDs among workers in Slovenia in 2015–2019 by gender, age and various economic activities (NACE Rev 2 classification). We retrospectively analyzed the Slovene national data for sick leave (SL) rates due to the LBDs between 2015 and 2019. The analyzed SL outcomes were (i) index of temporary disability as a diagnosis-specific loss of calendar days (all calendar days except Sundays) per employee, (ii) frequency of spells as the number of SL cases per 100 employees in one year and (iii) severity as the average duration of one absence from work due to a health condition. A high prevalence of sick leaves due to LBDs in Slovenia was present among young male workers in “mining and quarrying”. In the next age group (20.0–44.9 years), LBD is most frequent in “water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities”. Particular attention should be paid to ‘’agriculture, forestry and fishing’’ which shows a large average sick leave duration and probably a more demanding course of LBDs.

Highlights

  • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common work-related health problem in the European Union (EU) [1]

  • “public administration and defence; compulsory social security” activities presented by far the largest numbers for low back disorders (LBD) specific loss of calendar days per employee and the number of cases per 100 employees (Figure 1)

  • A high prevalence of sick leave due to LBDs in Slovenia was present among young male workers in “mining and quarrying”

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Summary

Introduction

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common work-related health problem in the European Union (EU) [1]. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, work-related MSDs are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and spinal discs in which (i) the work environment and performance of work contribute significantly to the condition and/or (ii) the condition is made worse or persists longer due to work conditions [2]. Various factors may contribute to MSDs, such as physical, organizational, psychosocial, sociodemographic and individual factors [1]. Psychosocial risks, especially in combination with physical risks, may cause or aggravate MSDs [3]. In addition to the normal degenerative aging process, poor work environment and performance of work contribute significantly to the condition [2]

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