Close to half of Romanian employees suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, says report

The musculoskeletal condition has a major economic cost through lost productivity as it represents 22 percent of the days of absence recorded on the Romanian labor market, shows a report of the Work Foundation for the Fit for Work Romania projects. It states that 42 percent of Romanians workers have low back pain, while 30 percent reported neck or shoulder pain last year.

In Europe, these conditions affect at least 100 million people. It is the main source for 50 percent of work absences and 60 percent of  permanent work incapacity.

The study states that around 143,000 Romanians suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, which is one of the 200 conditions acknowledged as musculoskeletal disorder.

“The musculoskeletal conditions represent one of the most common causes reported for disorders associated with the workplace in Romania. Although persons that suffer from this issue can still be productive at the workplace, to many of them leave the labor market early due to healthcare issues, costing employers and the government as significant amount of money, due to lost productivity,” said Dr. Catalin Codreanu, President of the Romanian League against Rheumatism and ambassador of Fit for work in Romania.

He added that early diagnosis and treatment, along with a better cooperation between employers, doctors and policymakers, could help Romanians keep or return to their jobs.

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Brussels became aware of this healthcare issue that incurs a combined loss of EUR 270 billion to member states. The first edition of the European Days of Musculoskeletal Health was organized this week.

Ovidiu Posirca