Permanent unfitness for work and musculoskeletal diseases: a multicentric cross-sectional study of 2,788 unfit employees.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the various musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) resulting in work-related permanent unfitness for work.

METHODS: In 2017, a multi-center cross-sectional employee survey in the South of France was conducted by 323 occupational physicians.

RESULTS: Of the 359,966 employees monitored, 2,788 had permanent unfitness for work. This number included 1,078 for MSDs which was more frequent in women (OR = 1.42 [1.20-1.68]) and showed an increase in women over 55 years old (OR = 6.42 [4.4-6.60]). Back disorder was the most common work-related disorder reported (n = 488 [45.4%]) with soft tissue conditions being (n = 237 [22.0%]). Arthropathy (n = 157 [14.6%]) had occupational origins in 282 (44.3%), 169 (26.6%) and 55 (8.6%) cases respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal disability prevention should be encouraged to avoid resultant employment attrition.