ABSTRACT
The demographic ageing has a huge impact in working lives. The legal retirement age is increasing, leading to extending the working life as well as the exposure to occupational risks. This prospective study with municipal workers was conducted aiming at characterizing the associations between work ability, self-reported symptomatology and age. In 2015, the sample consisted of 885 workers and in 2017, of 1167 workers. A self-administered questionnaire was used including the Work Ability Index (WAI) and an adaptation of the Nordic questionnaire. The WAI showed a lower average in 2017. The age had a negative correlation with work ability in both years. The prevalence of low-back symptoms was high for 2015 (45,2%) and 2017 (49,2%) and work ability changes are influenced by musculoskeletal symptoms. The results evidence the need to promote health and to prevent work related disorders aiming at maintaining the work ability over the years.
