| Descriptive Cross-Sectional Analysis of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Contribution to Absenteeism Among Office Employees Using TACOS-Based Anamnestic Assessment |
| Paper ID : 1356-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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amir hossein vaghari gargari * دانشجوی دکترای آسیب شناسب ورزشی وحرکات اصلاحی پردیس بین المللی کیش دانشگاه تهران |
| Abstract |
| Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major occupational health concern among office employees, significantly affecting productivity through increased absenteeism and chronic health complications. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, anatomical distribution, and impact of WMSDs on absenteeism, with analyses stratified by sex and age. The study included 163 office employees (100 males, 63 females). Data were collected via on-site interviews and self-administered questionnaires, recording demographic data, employment duration, pain severity, affected anatomical regions, and absenteeism days. Responses were systematically entered into an Excel-based “Anamnestic study of work-related upper limb, lower limb, and spinal musculoskeletal disorders” model and analyzed using TACOS methodology. Participants were categorized into six age groups (≤25, 26–35, 36–45, 46–55, 56–65, >65 years). Mean age was 40.8 years, and mean employment duration 16.7 years, with 74% aged 36–55. WMSDs accounted for 62.2% of 222 absenteeism days. Sex-specific patterns emerged: male absenteeism was predominantly due to spinal disorders (64.5%), particularly lumbosacral pain and acute lumbago, whereas female absenteeism mainly resulted from concurrent upper limb and spinal disorders (57.1%). Moderate-to-severe spinal disorders in males were cervical 13%, thoracic 3%, lumbar 7%, acute lumbago 25%; in females: cervical 7.9%, thoracic 3.2%, lumbar 3.2%, acute lumbago 31.7%. Upper limb involvement affected 19% of participants, with females showing higher prevalence in shoulder (14.3%), elbow (6.3%), and wrist/hand (6.3%). Absenteeism due to upper limb disorders was minimal (0–1%). Lower limb WMSDs affected 58.3%, mostly mild (48.5%), with the highest moderate-to-severe prevalence in 36–55-year-olds (13.5%), but contributed negligibly to absenteeism. Total spinal absenteeism amounted to 97 days for males and 40 days for females. Spinal and upper limb WMSDs, demonstrating distinct sex-based distributions, are the primary determinants of absenteeism. Targeted preventive strategies—including ergonomic workstation modifications, posture optimization, and specific exercise programs—are essential to reduce disease burden and improve occupational health outcomes. |
| Keywords |
| Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) - Occupational Absenteeism - Ergonomics |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
