AOK Rheinland/Hamburg: Pandemic increases musculoskeletal disorders

The incapacity for work data from AOK Rheinland/Hamburg based on figures from the Scientific Institute of Local Health Insurance Funds (WIdO) show a significant increase in cases of incapacity for work due to musculoskeletal disorders in the second year of coronavirus. In 2021, the health insurance company recorded 34 cases of incapacity for work per 100 year-round insured persons in the “musculoskeletal disorders” diagnosis group for the Rhineland and Hamburg combined. This is 6.3 percent more than in 2020.

Musculoskeletal disorders were already a common cause of absenteeism at work in recent years. The days of incapacity for work per 100 year-round insured persons rose continuously from 586 days per 100 year-round insured persons in 2019 to 608 days per 100 year-round insured persons in 2021. AOK-insured employees were therefore absent more frequently and for longer periods due to back pain, shoulder lesions or other disc damage. More information can be found on the AOK Rheinland/Hamburg website.