Chronic musculoskeletal pain and loss of work productivity among federal university teaching staff in Brazil.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the causes of work productivity loss. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain among federal university teachers in Brazil and investigate the association between this condition and sociodemographic and occupational variables and work productivity loss. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study with 1,436 university teachers. Data on sociodemographic, occupational and pain characteristics were collected between January and May 2023 using a structured digital questionnaire. Productivity was assessed using the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ-25). Prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain was 67.83%. A positive association was found between chronic musculoskeletal pain and working overtime and productivity loss, while a negative association was found between the condition and working in the area of health sciences, being male, and age. The prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain among federal university teachers is concerning, with significant productivity loss being associated with the condition.