Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract Introduction Much has been published on occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), while little notion exists regarding the relation between MSDs and complete unfitness for work. Methods Data collected from September 2019 to August 2020 from 24 of the 27 SSTI (Intercompany occupational health services) in Occitania (France) during health surveillance visits allowed to study the determinants, pathologies included, of unfitness for work. Results Of the 1,327,540 workers monitored, 8,374 were found to be unfitted for work. In both sexes, MSDs ranked second as determinants of unfitness (n= 2,747, 40.6%), after mental and behavioral disorders. However, in blue collars, MSDs were found to be the most frequent pathologies (n= 992, 36.1%). ICD-10 classification showed low-back pain as first cause in both sexes (women=451, 29.3%; men=434, 35.9%). In a multivariate model, age (Odds ratio (OR) 1.044, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.040-1.048), female gender (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.90-2.28), permanent contract (OR 4.25, 95% CI 3.61-5.0) and blue collar’s job category compared to white collars (OR 2.49, 95% CI 2.28-2.73) proved to be significant in increasing the risk of develop unfitness for work related to MSDs. Discussion Our study was able to confirm the risk factors associated with unfitness for work related to MSDs, particularly for certain job categories. Conclusions In order to protect workers’ health and fitness for work, prevention with regard to MSDs is confirmed as fundamental and occupational physician could play a crucial role in this action.
Pucci et al. (Mon,) studied this question.