Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Italy recorded over 1.18 million musculoskeletal sick-leave certificates in 2025
An update to a study by the University of Pavia and Anmar found more than 1.18 million Italian sick-leave certificates linked to musculoskeletal conditions in 2025.
That was about double the number in 2013, while certificates for arthropathies, a category that includes rheumatoid arthritis, rose by 131%.
The analysis covered 352 million certificates, but only 20.8% included a diagnosis, with significant differences between regions.
Musculoskeletal conditions made up about 20% of certificates with a coded diagnosis, but missing information makes it harder to assess how chronic illness affects people’s ability to work and social security costs.
Earlier estimates from the Fit for Work study put 70% of costs from disabling chronic rheumatic diseases in indirect costs, including lost productivity, disability and effects on families.
A parliamentary group says it wants to continue work on the issue with associations, businesses and researchers.
The State-Regions Conference could provide a place to discuss the health, social and social security impacts together.
Italy recorded more than 1.18 million sick-leave certificates linked to musculoskeletal diseases in 2025, about twice the number in 2013.
The findings are preliminary results from the Fit for Work 2.0 study, conducted by the University of Pavia and Anmar with the cooperation of INPS.
The study found that musculoskeletal diseases accounted for about 20% of sick-leave certificates with a coded diagnosis.
Only 20.8% of certificates included a diagnosis, limiting analysis of the effects of chronic illness on work capacity and social security costs.
The findings were presented in Rome during World Rheumatic Disease Day.
- Who
- The University of Pavia and Anmar conducted the study with the cooperation of INPS.
- What
- Italy recorded more than 1.18 million sick-leave certificates linked to musculoskeletal diseases in 2025.
- When
- The certificates were issued in 2025. The preliminary findings were presented in 2026.
- Where
- The findings were presented in Rome.
- Why
- The study examined sick leave linked to musculoskeletal diseases and the effects of chronic illness on work and costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The original Fit for Work study was conducted.
Italy recorded more than 1.18 million sick-leave certificates linked to musculoskeletal diseases.
Preliminary results from the Fit for Work 2.0 update were presented in Rome during World Rheumatic Disease Day.
- Sick-leave certificates in 2025
- More than 1.18 million linked to musculoskeletal diseases
- Change since 2013
- About twice as many certificates
- Arthropathies
- Increase of 131%
- Certificates studied
- 352 million
- Certificates with a diagnosis
- 20.8%
- Share of coded-diagnosis certificates
- About 20% were for musculoskeletal diseases
What people are saying
According to estimates in the Fit for Work report, 70% of the costs of disabling chronic rheumatic diseases consisted of indirect costs, linked to lost productivity, disability and repercussions on families
Understanding how much absences matter, what difficulties workers with chronic diseases face and under what conditions they risk leaving the labour market makes it possible to identify areas for action
The State-Regions Conference can be an important forum for bringing these dimensions into dialogue