Long-Term Sick Leave Due to Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Impact on Longevity

Long‑term sickness absence extends beyond an immediate response to illness, as it frequently arises from chronic conditions and has a meaningful impact on population longevity. In our study, long‑term sickness absence lasting more than one year and attributable to musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders represents the largest share of work absence among both sexes across the entire four‑year observation period (2021–2024). The findings confirm that this group of disorders remains the leading cause of work incapacity and constitutes a significant socio‑health and socio‑economic challenge for contemporary society. Research on longevity highlights that maintaining a meaningful social role, a sense of belonging, and regular participation in structured activities positively influences neuroplasticity, stress regulation, metabolic health, and immune function—key protective factors for healthy ageing. Measures aimed at preventing long‑term sickness absence and supporting safe, gradual reintegration into the workplace play an important role in mitigating the adverse effects of chronic non‑communicable diseases on health, functional capacity, and longevity.