Incidence of work and non-work related disability claims in Brazil

BACKGROUND: Sickness benefit claims are an important economic burden to society. This study aims to determine the incidence of sickness benefit claims in Brazil in 2008, exploring the role of economic activity. METHODS: Population-based study on sickness claims lasting longer than 15 days of sickness absence granted to private sector employees. Data on gender, age, economic activity, diagnosis, and work-relatedness were collected. RESULTS: The annual incidence of sickness benefits was 421.8/10,000 jobs, 435.4 for males and 452.0 for females. There were 3.5 times more non-work-related than work-related claims. The main diagnoses were injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental disorders. Rates increased with age up to 59 years. Economic activity 37-Sewage had the highest incidence of non-work-related and work-related claims. CONCLUSION: The incidence of sickness benefits is higher among female and older workers. Economic activities show great variability of sickness benefit rates, work-relatedness, diagnostic categories, and gender. Am. J. Ind. Med. (c) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc