Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common work-related health problems. As low back disorders (LBD) are the most problematic, the aim of this study was to provide an in-depth analysis of the nationwide data on sick leaves due to work-related LBDs among workers in Slovenia in 2015–2019 by gender, age and various economic activities (NACE Rev 2 classification). We retrospectively analyzed the Slovene national data for sick leave (SL) rates due to the LBDs between 2015 and 2019. The analyzed SL outcomes were (i) index of temporary disability as a diagnosis-specific loss of calendar days (all calendar days except Sundays) per employee, (ii) frequency of spells as the number of SL cases per 100 employees in one year and (iii) severity as the average duration of one absence from work due to a health condition. A high prevalence of sick leaves due to LBDs in Slovenia was present among young male workers in “mining and quarrying”. In the next age group (20.0–44.9 years), LBD is most frequent in “water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities”. Particular attention should be paid to ‘’agriculture, forestry and fishing’’ which shows a large average sick leave duration and probably a more demanding course of LBDs.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze Slovenian data on sick leave (SL) due to the most common work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers in sector I “accommodation and food services activities” from the NACE Rev2 classification. Methods: We investigated both SL incidence (i.e., number of cases) and disease severity (i.e., average SL duration) by body site, gender, age and divisions within the sector. In addition, trends in SL data (difference between 2015 and 2019) were analyzed. The effect of age group, gender and division was also assessed with relative risk (RR). RESULTS: Female gender was associated with higher risk of MSDs in young (RR = 1.91 (1.53–2.43)) and older (RR = 2.24 (1.90–2.65)) subgroups. Older age was associated with greater SL incidence and longer SL duration, regardless of gender and division within sector I. This was also reflected in relative risk calculations between older and younger groups (females: RR = 4.43; CI = 3.75–5.01; p < 0.001; males: RR = 3.71; CI = 2.89–4.77; p < 0.001). Low back disorders were the most frequent cause for SL, while lower limb disorders tended to cause the longest average SL. The SL durations were similar across divisions within the sector, while the incidence rate tended to be higher in the “accommodation” than the “food and beverage services” division. Conclusions: Special attention needs to be paid to reducing the risk of low back disorders, which are by far the most common cause of SL, and lower limb disorders, which cause the longest SL. We recommend the implementation of countermeasures that focus on early detection and rapid treatment/recovery of MSDs in older workers.

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