Resumen:
OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with the duration of disability
benefi ts due to work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders.
METHODS: Ambispective cohort study conducted with 563 insured workers
from the General Social Security System who received temporary disability
benefi ts due to work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in the city
of Salvador, Northeastern Brazil, in 2008. The data came from an inquiry
performed by the Regional Audit of the National Social Security Institute and
from administrative records. Sociodemographic and work-related variables
were analyzed, as well as characteristics of the health problem and aspects
related to social security. Factors associated with time until the cessation of
the benefi t were identifi ed through survival analysis techniques.
RESULTS: Low socioeconomic position (RR=1.29; 95%CI 1.02; 1.64), age
below 39 years (RR=1.23;95%CI 1.03; 1.47), income replacement by the
National Social Security Institute ≤ 100% (RR=1.24; 95%CI 1.04; 1.47) and high
expectation of returning to work (RR=1.20; 95%CI 1.00; 1.44) are the categories
related to higher rate of cessation of the benefi t and with its shorter duration.
CONCLUSIONS: Factors that are not strictly medical, like socioeconomic
position, age, expectation of returning to work and level of income replacement
by the National Social Security Institute, seem to infl uence the benefi t’s duration.
These hypotheses need to be tested with further confi rmatory studies in order to
improve the understanding of the process of determining incapacity for work.
