From the Guidelines
The 30 most common causes of occupational disability are not explicitly listed in the provided evidence, but based on the information available, musculoskeletal pain conditions, diabetes, and respiratory disorders such as asthma are significant contributors to occupational disability 1.
Common Causes of Occupational Disability
- Musculoskeletal pain conditions, such as lower back pain and osteoarthritis, are a major cause of disability worldwide 1
- Diabetes is associated with a strong increase in the risk of physical disability, with estimates representing up to a 50–80% increased risk of disability for people with diabetes compared with people without diabetes 1
- Respiratory disorders, including work-related asthma, can lead to permanent disability and require consideration of compensation and rehabilitation 1
Key Factors Contributing to Occupational Disability
- Physical limitations, such as lower-body functional limitation, can substantially limit major life activities and impact functional ability or capacity to manage chronic conditions like diabetes 1
- Mental health and comorbidities can also play a significant role in occupational disability, emphasizing the need for comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment 1
- Workplace factors, including exposure to hazardous agents and inadequate workplace accommodations, can exacerbate underlying conditions and contribute to disability 1
From the Research
Common Causes of Occupational Disability
The following are some of the most common causes of occupational disability:
- Back/neck problems 2
- Depression/anxiety/emotional problems 2
- Arthritis/rheumatism 2
- Accidents 3
- Coronary heart disease 3
- Diseases of the spine 3
- Orthopedic diseases 3
- Musculoskeletal disorders 4
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) 4
- Low back pain (LBP) 4
- Mental disorders 5
- Musculoskeletal diseases 5
- Migraine 6
- Headache frequency 6
Specific Causes by Study
The study 2 found that the top three most commonly reported causes of work disability were:
- Back/neck problems (30.3%)
- Depression/anxiety/emotional problems (21.0%)
- Arthritis/rheumatism (18.6%) The study 3 found that the four most common diagnoses accounting for 52.4% of all cases of disability were:
- Accidents
- Coronary heart disease
- Diseases of the spine
- Orthopedic diseases The study 5 found that those reporting common mental disorders (CMD) and high physical workload had a greater risk of disability retirement due to any cause, mental disorders, and musculoskeletal diseases.
Occupational Groups and Causes of Disability
The study 3 found that:
- Diseases of heart and circulation are rarer in physically active occupations such as construction, agriculture, and industry than in white collar workers and liberal professions
- Orthopedic diseases and accidents occur more frequently in construction, industry, and agriculture
- White collar workers tend to have more psychiatric problems 3