Analysis of the Work Ability Index in workers with previous shoulder injury: An exploratory study

Introduction: Every year in Europe, millions of people are temporarily or permanently unable to work as a result of a work-related injury. [1] To date, the extent to which the latter can change in the worker’s “perceived work well-being in the present and for the future in relation to the demands of his or her task and his or her mental and physical resources,” in terms of Work Ability, is still little investigated. [2] Aim: To assess the determinants of improved Work Ability in workers who have suffered a shoulder injury, three months after returning to work. Methods: The study sample consisted of 55 workers who had suffered a shoulder injury, afferent to the outpatient clinics of INAIL in Pescara. A Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire was administered at the time the injury event was defined (T0) and after three months (T3). A descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed on the collected data to test the relationship between WAI and worker characteristics. Results: The sample consisted of 75% male workers. According to INAIL management, 48 were in Industry, 4 in Agriculture and 3 in State Account. The mean WAI value at T0 was 29.97±7.08 vs 32.60±7.13 at T3 (p=0.005). Further differences emerged at T3 for gender (p=0.036), age (p=0.035), presence of comorbidities (p=0.049), and objective examination (p=0.002). Conclusions: The findings highlight the need to implement post-injury programs that take into account the characteristics of workers in order to reduce the incidence of employment disaffection.