Page 115 - Petelin, Ana. 2020. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije / Health of the Working-Age Population. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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k-related musculoskeletal disorders in Slovenia: 2015 – 2018 ohranjanje in krepitev zdravja | maintaining and promoting health
Ticijana Prijon1, Dorjana Zerbo Šporin2, Nejc Šarabon2, Ivan Eržen1
1 National institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Trubarjeva 2,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major health problem
in the EU, including Slovenia. In fact, MSDs are the most common work-re-
lated health problem in the developed world. This partly results from the de-
generative processes in the aging population; however, there are also several
cofounding factors, including inappropriate workplace settings, poor lifestyle,
obesity epidemic, low physical activity, and sedentary behaviour among the
working-age population. Most work-related MSDs involve cumulative impair-
ments caused by continuous exposure to prolonged physical stress at work, in
combination with psychosocial and environmental factors. For decades MSDs
have been the main reason for sick leave, long-term absence from work and in-
capacity for work. The aim of this study was to analyse the trend in sick leave
(SL) due to MSDs.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the trend in sick leave (SL) due to MSDs
in relation to sex and age and following the incidence of MSDs across different
economic sectors and activities. The number of lost working days, the percent-
age of lost days per employee (% SL) and the average duration of temporary in-
capacity for work due to MDSs from 2015 till 2018 were defined.
Results: Sick leave (SL) as a result of MSDs has been on the increase in Slovenia.
If 2,320,498 working days were lost to MSDs in 2015, the number in 2018 had
risen by 42.9%, amounting to 3,315,094. The average duration of SL caused by
MSDs has also been increasing, from 29.1 days in 2015 to 34.7 days in 2018. The
incidence of MSDs is considerably higher among women (% SL 0.86–1.25%)
than among men (% SL 0.61–0.81%). The MSDs incidence increases with age,
reaching its peak in the 45–64 age group. MSDs are the most common cause
of long-term incapacity for work, accounting for as many as 28% of all cases of
SL for more than a year. For several years, SL due to MSDs has been highest
in mining, health and social care, manufacturing, public administration, military,
and police forces, and in construction.
Discussion and conclusions: To address the growing MSDs pandemic, we must
introduce and implement a combination of appropriate technical, organisation-
al, and administrative measures in the workplace, as well as enhance a healthy
lifestyle of our workers. To minimize work-related MSDs, we must adopt an in-
tegrated and multidisciplinary approach that includes measures to prevent and
manage MDSs. Furthermore, rehabilitation and work reintegration of people
with MSDs should be strengthened in order to gain better mid- and long-term
outcomes for the workers, health system and economy. Examples of good prac-
tice indicate that these measures to reduce the risk of developing work-related
MSDs bring diverse benefits, such as improved working conditions, greater sat-
isfaction and motivation of workers, a reduction in sick leave due to MSDs, im-
provements in general safety, as well as an increase in productivity.
Key words: musculoskeletal disorders, sick leave, incidence
113
Ticijana Prijon1, Dorjana Zerbo Šporin2, Nejc Šarabon2, Ivan Eržen1
1 National institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Trubarjeva 2,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major health problem
in the EU, including Slovenia. In fact, MSDs are the most common work-re-
lated health problem in the developed world. This partly results from the de-
generative processes in the aging population; however, there are also several
cofounding factors, including inappropriate workplace settings, poor lifestyle,
obesity epidemic, low physical activity, and sedentary behaviour among the
working-age population. Most work-related MSDs involve cumulative impair-
ments caused by continuous exposure to prolonged physical stress at work, in
combination with psychosocial and environmental factors. For decades MSDs
have been the main reason for sick leave, long-term absence from work and in-
capacity for work. The aim of this study was to analyse the trend in sick leave
(SL) due to MSDs.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the trend in sick leave (SL) due to MSDs
in relation to sex and age and following the incidence of MSDs across different
economic sectors and activities. The number of lost working days, the percent-
age of lost days per employee (% SL) and the average duration of temporary in-
capacity for work due to MDSs from 2015 till 2018 were defined.
Results: Sick leave (SL) as a result of MSDs has been on the increase in Slovenia.
If 2,320,498 working days were lost to MSDs in 2015, the number in 2018 had
risen by 42.9%, amounting to 3,315,094. The average duration of SL caused by
MSDs has also been increasing, from 29.1 days in 2015 to 34.7 days in 2018. The
incidence of MSDs is considerably higher among women (% SL 0.86–1.25%)
than among men (% SL 0.61–0.81%). The MSDs incidence increases with age,
reaching its peak in the 45–64 age group. MSDs are the most common cause
of long-term incapacity for work, accounting for as many as 28% of all cases of
SL for more than a year. For several years, SL due to MSDs has been highest
in mining, health and social care, manufacturing, public administration, military,
and police forces, and in construction.
Discussion and conclusions: To address the growing MSDs pandemic, we must
introduce and implement a combination of appropriate technical, organisation-
al, and administrative measures in the workplace, as well as enhance a healthy
lifestyle of our workers. To minimize work-related MSDs, we must adopt an in-
tegrated and multidisciplinary approach that includes measures to prevent and
manage MDSs. Furthermore, rehabilitation and work reintegration of people
with MSDs should be strengthened in order to gain better mid- and long-term
outcomes for the workers, health system and economy. Examples of good prac-
tice indicate that these measures to reduce the risk of developing work-related
MSDs bring diverse benefits, such as improved working conditions, greater sat-
isfaction and motivation of workers, a reduction in sick leave due to MSDs, im-
provements in general safety, as well as an increase in productivity.
Key words: musculoskeletal disorders, sick leave, incidence
113
