Objectives: Little is known about the long-term prognosis of lateral epicondylitis among the general working population. The objective was to describe the course and determinants of elbow pain and probable lateral epicondylitis in a cohort of workers representative of the French working population. Method: Employees in the Loire region who presented with probable lateral epicondylitis between 2002 and 2004 were followed to assess the progression of their symptoms four years later (2007 and 2009). Possible determinants of the condition were investigated. Results: Of the 1,611 employees followed, 100 subjects had probable lateral epicondylalgia in 2002. More than one-third of the included employees (39.0%) reported elbow pain or epicondylalgia at the second examination. Work involving elbow use is significantly associated with the persistence of probable lateral epicondylalgia in both univariate and multivariate analyses (adjusted odds ratio 5.59 [1.47; 21.30]). Conclusion: occupational lateral epicondylalgia resolves favorably in approximately two-thirds of cases. This outcome depends on the diagnosis and the consideration of occupational factors in the management of the condition. Reporting the condition as an occupational disease does not appear to be a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis, although the clinician must evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of such a course of action and inform the patient accordingly. (R.A.)