{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,26]],"date-time":"2026-09-26T11:17:45Z","timestamp":1790421465472,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]],"date-time":"2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750204800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Work-related injuries remain a considerable global burden; nevertheless, progress in occupational safety has been made in decreasing the time to return to work. This study aimed to assess the pooled incidence of Return to Work (RTW) among workers with occupational injuries and to identify the key factors influencing RTW outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus) to include eligible cohorts. Meta-analysis was undertaken using R software 4.5.1 with random-effects models, and heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic. Results: This meta-analysis included 16 cohorts, with 4164 workers. A pooled analysis of 14 studies showed that 79% of workers successfully returned to their jobs after treatment for work-related injuries (95% CI: 0.67\u20130.88; p &lt; 0.0001; I2 = 97.5%). Meta-regression identified age as a significant moderator, with older workers showing a higher incidence of RTW. The mean time to RTW, pooled from 9 studies, was approximately 102 days, with no significant age association (p = 0.222). Regarding predictors, male workers had a significantly higher RTW rate than females (p &lt; 0.0001). Married persons showed greater RTW rates (p &lt; 0.0001). Also, workers with higher education levels were more likely to return to work (p = 0.0033). For injury type, lacerations were related to a greater RTW rate than crushing injuries. Conclusions: This meta-analysis underscored a significant overall return-to-work rate after work-related injuries, with age, sex, marital status, education level, and injury type affecting results. Advanced age and male sex were substantially correlated with increased return-to-work rates. These findings support the necessity for personalized rehabilitation programs and focused support to enhance work reintegration following occupational accidents.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14124343","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]],"date-time":"2025-06-18T07:38:15Z","timestamp":1750232295000},"page":"4343","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":8,"title":["Return to Work After Work-Related Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Incidence and Determinants"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-0617-5939","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Weiner","family":"Santos","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"International Doctoral School, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain"},{"name":"Local Health Unit Litoral Alentejano (ULSLA), 7540-230 Santiago do Cac\u00e9m, Portugal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Carmen","family":"Rojas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Industrial Engineering, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2475-8591","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rui","family":"Isidoro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Polytechnic of Beja, Rua Pedro Su\u00e1rez, Campus du University Polytechnic of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal"},{"name":"Life Quality Research Centre (LQRC-CIEQV), 2001-964 Santar\u00e9m, Portugal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alejandro","family":"Lorente","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Ankle and Foot Surgery Unit, Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Ram\u00f3n y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5300-2331","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ana","family":"Dias","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Polytechnic of Beja, Rua Pedro Su\u00e1rez, Campus du University Polytechnic of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal"},{"name":"Life Quality Research Centre (LQRC-CIEQV), 2001-964 Santar\u00e9m, Portugal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5166-198X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gonzalo","family":"Mariscal","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute for Research on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente M\u00e1rtir, 46001 Valencia, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ahmed Hamdy","family":"Zabady","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22514, Egypt"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rafael","family":"Lorente","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, University Hospital of Badajoz, 06010 Badajoz, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"138","DOI":"10.1093\/occmed\/kqad012","article-title":"Work-related injuries and attendance at a Canadian regional emergency department","volume":"73","author":"McMullin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Occup. Med."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"73","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.4132","article-title":"Global-, regional-and country-level estimates of the work-related burden of diseases and accidents in 2019","volume":"50","author":"Takala","year":"2024","journal-title":"Scand. J. Work Environ. Health"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113","DOI":"10.52547\/johe.10.2.113","article-title":"Prevalence of Occupational Injury among Workers in the Construction, Manufacturing, and Mining Industries in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis","volume":"10","author":"Debela","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Occup. Health Epidemiol."},{"key":"ref_4","unstructured":"Mock, C.N., Nugent, R., Kobusingye, O., and Smith, K. (2017). Occupation and Risk for Injuries, The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. [3rd ed.]."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"560","DOI":"10.1080\/10803548.2025.2454152","article-title":"The incidence and severe consequences of occupational injuries among informal workers in a developing country","volume":"31","author":"Ronconi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Occup. Saf. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"513","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsr.2004.08.005","article-title":"Have young workers more injuries than older ones? An international literature review","volume":"35","author":"Salminen","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Saf. Res."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"740","DOI":"10.1007\/s10926-019-09835-4","article-title":"Predictors of Return to Work for Occupational Rehabilitation Users in Work-Related Injury Insurance Claims: Insights from Mental Health","volume":"29","author":"Khorshidi","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Occup. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1054\/JHSB.1998.0180","article-title":"Time Off Work After Occupational Hand Injuries","volume":"24","author":"Skov","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Br. Eur. Vol."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11786302221109372","DOI":"10.1177\/11786302221109372","article-title":"Time to Return to Work After an Occupational Injury and Its Prognostic factors Among Employees of Large-Scale Metal Manufacturing Facilities in Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort","volume":"16","author":"Tamene","year":"2022","journal-title":"Environ. Health Insights"},{"key":"ref_10","first-page":"29","article-title":"Efficacy of occupational rehabilitation in return to work for back pain: A systematic literature review","volume":"78","author":"Kalski","year":"2023","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"607","DOI":"10.1080\/09638280600841513","article-title":"Effectiveness of workplace rehabilitation interventions in the treatment of work-related low back pain: A systematic review","volume":"29","author":"Williams","year":"2007","journal-title":"Disabil. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_12","first-page":"699","article-title":"Gradual Return to Work: Maximizing Benefits to Corporations and Their Caregiver Employees","volume":"37","author":"Grabe","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Corp Law"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Flynn, S., Ghent, A.C., and Nair, V. (2024). Determinants and Consequences of Return to Office Policies. SSRN Electron. J., Available online: https:\/\/api.semanticscholar.org\/CorpusID:269102390.","DOI":"10.2139\/ssrn.4757876"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"715","DOI":"10.1136\/oemed-2020-107014","article-title":"Does gradually returning to work improve time to sustainable work after a work-acquired musculoskeletal disorder in British Columbia, Canada? A matched cohort effectiveness study","volume":"78","author":"Maas","year":"2021","journal-title":"Occup. Environ. Med."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"791351","DOI":"10.3389\/fresc.2021.791351","article-title":"Systematic Review of Biopsychosocial Prognostic Factors for Return to Work After Acute Orthopedic Trauma: A 2020 Update","volume":"2","author":"Duong","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Rehabil. Sci."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/s10926-016-9690-x","article-title":"Effectiveness of workplace interventions in return-to-work for musculoskeletal, pain-related and mental health conditions: An update of the evidence and messages for practitioners","volume":"28","author":"Cullen","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Occup. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1186\/s12998-016-0113-z","article-title":"Factors affecting return to work after injury or illness: Best evidence synthesis of systematic reviews","volume":"24","author":"Cancelliere","year":"2016","journal-title":"Chiropr. Man. Ther."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"n71","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cjtee.2022.11.001","article-title":"Assessment of the relationship between the return to work and the severity of work-related upper limb injuries using the whole person impairment","volume":"26","author":"Hosseininejad","year":"2023","journal-title":"Chin. J. Traumatol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.1093\/occmed\/kqr215","article-title":"Self-perceived health and return to work following work-related hand injury","volume":"62","author":"Chen","year":"2012","journal-title":"Occup. Med."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1007\/s10926-010-9246-4","article-title":"Correlation of return to work outcomes and hand impairment measures among workers with traumatic hand injury","volume":"21","author":"Chang","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Occup. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"184","DOI":"10.1054\/JHSB.1998.0179","article-title":"The Hand Injury Severity Scoring System and Workers\u2019 Compensation Cases in Wisconsin, USA","volume":"24","author":"Matloub","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"718","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhsa.2008.01.015","article-title":"Time Off Work in Hand Injury Patients","volume":"33","author":"Wong","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"880","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhsa.2009.02.009","article-title":"Predicting Functional Recovery and Return to Work After Mutilating Hand Injuries: Usefulness of Campbell\u2019s Hand Injury Severity Score","volume":"34","author":"Matsuzaki","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"438","DOI":"10.1093\/occmed\/kqy091","article-title":"Return to work after occupational and non-occupational lower extremity amputation","volume":"68","author":"Journeay","year":"2018","journal-title":"Occup. Med."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1472","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-022-13817-2","article-title":"Does category of strength predict return-to-work after occupational injury?","volume":"22","author":"Yang","year":"2022","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"E88","article-title":"Association between the initial anatomical severity and opportunity of return to work in occupational hand injured patients","volume":"69","author":"Lee","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Trauma"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"434","DOI":"10.1093\/occmed\/kqaa106","article-title":"Factors associated with unsuccessful return-to-work following work-related upper extremity injury","volume":"70","author":"Xue","year":"2020","journal-title":"Occup. Med."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"362","DOI":"10.32552\/2022.ActaMedica.813","article-title":"Factors Influencing the Time to Return to Work After Occupational Hand Injuries","volume":"53","author":"Sert","year":"2022","journal-title":"Acta Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"218","DOI":"10.1016\/j.hansur.2020.01.009","article-title":"Predictors of return to work in patients with occupational hand injury","volume":"39","author":"Izadi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Hand Surg. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chu, P.-C., Chin, W.-S., Guo, Y.L., and Shiao, J.S.-C. (2019). Long-term effects of psychological symptoms after occupational injury on return to work: A 6-year follow-up. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph16020235"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"887","DOI":"10.1016\/S0929-6646(08)60058-3","article-title":"Delayed Return-to-work in Workers After Non-severe Occupational Upper Extremity Fracture in Taiwan","volume":"106","author":"Du","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Formos. Med. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jht.2013.10.001","article-title":"A systematic review of prognostic factors for return to work following work-related traumatic hand injury","volume":"27","author":"Shi","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Hand Ther."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1623","DOI":"10.1080\/02699052.2018.1532111","article-title":"A systematic review and meta-analysis of return to work after mild Traumatic brain injury","volume":"32","author":"Bloom","year":"2018","journal-title":"Brain Inj."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1811","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-19328-6","article-title":"Work ability and return-to-work of patients with post-COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"24","author":"Ottiger","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1007\/s10926-020-09893-z","article-title":"Vocational rehabilitation with or without work module for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and sick leave from work: Longitudinal impact on work participation","volume":"31","author":"Beemster","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Occup. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104","DOI":"10.1002\/ajim.20122","article-title":"Outcomes in work-related injuries: A comparison of older and younger workers","volume":"47","author":"Pransky","year":"2005","journal-title":"Am. J. Ind. Med."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.1186\/s13584-020-00392-3","article-title":"Socio-economic disparities and returning to work following an injury","volume":"9","author":"Savitsky","year":"2020","journal-title":"Isr. J. Health Policy Res."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"679","DOI":"10.1007\/s10926-019-09832-7","article-title":"Sustainable Return to Work: A Systematic Review Focusing on Personal and Social Factors","volume":"29","author":"Etuknwa","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Occup. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"185","DOI":"10.1007\/s10926-009-9168-1","article-title":"Gender Differences in Work Modifications and Changed Job Characteristics During the Return-To-Work Process: A Prospective Cohort Study","volume":"19","author":"Nijhuis","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Occup. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sbspro.2013.04.243","article-title":"Marital Status and Work-Life Balance","volume":"78","author":"Panisoara","year":"2013","journal-title":"Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"jrm00146","DOI":"10.2340\/16501977-2787","article-title":"Return-to-work self-efficacy after occupational rehabilitation for musculoskeletal and common mental health disorders: Secondary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial","volume":"53","author":"Skagseth","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Rehabil. Med."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3259","DOI":"10.1007\/s11136-024-03797-8","article-title":"Professional reintegration of stroke survivors and their mental health, quality of life and community integration","volume":"33","author":"Matos","year":"2024","journal-title":"Qual. Life Res."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"778","DOI":"10.1097\/00005373-199705000-00004","article-title":"Long-term Outcomes in Blunt Trauma: Who Goes Back to Work?","volume":"42","author":"Brenneman","year":"1997","journal-title":"J. Trauma Acute Care Surg."}],"container-title":["Journal of Clinical Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/14\/12\/4343\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T17:54:13Z","timestamp":1760032453000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/14\/12\/4343"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]]},"references-count":44,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6]]}},"alternative-id":["jcm14124343"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcm14124343","relation":{},"ISSN":["2077-0383"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2077-0383","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]]}}}