Musculoskeletal Disorders and Health‐Related Quality of Life Among Information Technology Professionals in the Post‐Pandemic Period: A Cross‐Sectional Occupational Health Study

ABSTRACT Background IT professionals face sustained ergonomic exposures, including prolonged sedentary behaviour, high screen time, and suboptimal workstation design, that intensified following pandemic‐driven shifts to remote and hybrid work. These conditions predispose this occupational cohort to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and impaired health related quality of life (HRQoL); however, population—specific evidence remains limited. Objective To estimate 12‐month MSD prevalence and regional distribution among IT professionals, compare HRQoL across MSD and non‐MSD groups, and identify factors independently associated with MSDs. Methods A purposive‐stratified cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 1568 full‐time or part‐time IT professionals (aged 20–60 years) recruited from corporate technology firms, software companies, BPO units, and remote working platforms across India with a response rate of 98%. MSD prevalence and disability were assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ); HRQoL was evaluated using the World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL‐BREF) questionnaire. Factors independently associated with MSD presence were identified through multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression (Nagelkerke R 2 reported); MSD severity—HRQoL associations were examined using linear regression. Results The 12‐month prevalence of MSD was 71.4%. The neck (59.2%), lower back (53.7%), and shoulders (46.1%) were most affected. Multi‐regional involvement correlated with significantly greater disability (6.1 ± 2.4 vs. 4.2 ± 1.9; p < 0.001). The MSD group demonstrated markedly lower physical HRQoL (48.3 ± 13.6 vs. 71.9 ± 12.8; p < 0.001), with significant differences across all WHOQOL‐BREF domains. The strongest independent factors associated with MSDs were daily work > 10 hours (OR 2.93, 95% CI 2.10–4.07), poor ergonomic conditions (OR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.99–2.94), and remote work modality (OR = 1.78, 95%CI 1.42–2.21; Nagelkerke R 2 = 0.41). Conclusion MSDs are highly prevalent among IT professionals and are independently associated with impaired HRQoL across all domains. Poor ergonomic conditions, extended work hours, and remote work modality were independently associated with MSD presence and represent potentially modifiable workplace characteristics warranting further evaluation.