Notified Occupational Musculoskeletal Diseases in a Portuguese Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Analysis of the Last Decade
Synopsis
Occupational musculoskeletal diseases represent a major occupational health concern in healthcare settings due to their impact on workers’ functional capacity and work ability. In Portugal, their notification as occupational diseases requires a causal relationship in which work is considered the main etiological factor. Objectives: To characterise notified occupational musculoskeletal diseases in a Portuguese tertiary hospital over a decade. Methodology: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive
study with retrospective analysis was conducted, including all occupational musculoskeletal diseases notified by the Occupational Health Service between 2015 and 2025. Demographic and occupational variables, diagnosis, treatment, work transfer and permanent partial disability (PPD) were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 88 occupational musculoskeletal diseases were notified in 70 workers, predominantly female. The most affected professional groups were healthcare assistants, nurses and diagnostic and therapeutic technicians. Most diseases involved the upper limb, mainly rotator cuff tendinopathies, epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Only 12.5% required surgical treatment. Job relocation was necessary in approximately one fifth of workers, and PPD was recorded in a substantial proportion of cases with available information. Conclusions: Notified occupational musculoskeletal diseases in hospital settings are associated with significant functional impact, highlighting the importance of early occupational health intervention and targeted preventive strategies.
