Work ability (WA) is considered the result of the interaction of personal, social, and other factors related to the work environment. To what extent WA can predict absenteeism at work due to occupational health in professional drivers remains poorly investigated.

To analyze the association between work ability and occupational health-related absenteeism at work in professional drivers.

From 2020 to 2021, 449 professional drivers were assessed for sociodemographic information, lifestyle (Baecke questionnaire, Work Stress Scale), and work ability (Work Ability Index, WAI) in Curitiba, Paraná (Brazil). Follow-up assessments were conducted at 6 and 12 months by telephone to answer 3 questions that aimed at information about professional performance, situations of occupational absenteeism, and accidents at work.

After 12 months of the initial interview, 270/449 drivers (60%) remained as research participants and the others did not remain active in the profession (n=29/449, 7%) or did not respond to telephone contact (n= 53/449, 12%). WAI was inversely associated (β=-0.119 CI 95% -0.233 to -0.006, P=0.039) with general absenteeism at 12 months, explaining better WAI variability and showing a better fit of the latter model (AIC=137, R²= 0.028, P=0.074 vs. R² = 0.050, AIC = 92, P=0.039). Separating the reasons for absenteeism between occupational health and accidents at work, we concluded that WAI was inversely associated with absenteeism due to occupational health at 6 months ((β=-0.096 CI95% -0.187 to -0.006, P=0.037) and accidents at work at 12 months (β=-0.189 95% CI -0.331 to -0.047, P=0.009).

Work ability can predict 1-year absenteeism due to occupational health in professional drivers.

Absenteeism due to occupational health can be detected using current work ability information in professional drivers. Further studies are required to test whether ergonomic interventions can promote occupational health and decrease absenteeism in this population.