Official incidence and trends of occupational musculoskeletal disorders in Turkey in 2014–2024: implications of possible underreporting

Abstract

In Turkey, official incidence figures for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain notably low despite established ergonomic risks. The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine national incidences of all recognised occupational MSD cases among insured workers included in the publicly available registry of the Social Security Institution of Turkey (SGK) between 2014 and 2024, to calculate annual rates per million insured workers, and to establish temporal, gender-specific, and diagnostic trends. A total of 744 cases were recorded, with recognised incidence increasing from 1.74 per million in 2014 to a peak of 9.03 in 2021. Lateral epicondylitis and chronic crepitant synovitis were the most frequent diagnoses. Whilst male workers accounted for most cases, female incidence rates equalled or exceeded male rates in 2020–2021, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Our findings point to structural flaws and barriers in the current, compensation-based registry system that may result in under-recognition and consequent underreporting of occupational MSDs, which calls for strengthening prevention-oriented surveillance to inform robust healthcare policies.