Doenças osteomusculares são a principal causa de absenteísmo-doença entre trabalhadores da indústria de petróleo no Brasil: resultados de um estudo de coorte / Musculoskeletal diseases are the main cause of sick leave among oil industry workers in Brazil: results of a cohort study

Resumo Objetivo: descrever indicadores de absenteísmo-doença entre trabalhadores de indústria de petróleo. Métodos: estudo de coorte retrospectiva, realizado de 2012 a 2016, com dados secundários de prontuários médicos e de bases de dados da empresa. Foram calculados indicadores de absenteísmo por morbidade, características sociodemográficas e ocupacionais. Resultados: participaram 2.028 trabalhadores, do sexo masculino (87,6%), com idade maior ou igual a 50 anos (46,9%), nível médio de escolaridade (49,2%) e que trabalhavam em atividade não-operacional (65,1%). A incidência acumulada de afastamento do trabalho foi de 71,5% e a taxa de incidência de 25,8/100 pessoas-ano. Maiores taxas foram observadas entre mulheres (31,6), trabalhadores com 50 ou mais anos (29,9), 30 ou mais anos de serviço (31,9), menor escolaridade (29,2), em atividade operacional (27,9) e horário regular (26,1). Doenças osteomusculares (n=2001), respiratórias (n=1016) e digestivas (n=967) foram responsáveis pelo maior número de licenças. Os maiores números de dias de ausência ao trabalho foram por doenças osteomusculares (n=11640), lesões por causas externas (n=6267) e transtornos mentais (n=5042). Dor lombar foi o diagnóstico com maior número de dias de absenteísmo (n=3632). Conclusão: mulheres, trabalhadores com mais tempo de serviço e de menor escolaridade devem ser alvo de programas de saúde que visem o controle das morbidades identificadas.

Abstract Objective: to describe the incidence of sickness absence among workers of an oil industry in Brazil. Methods: retrospective cohort study conducted with 2,028 workers. Study data were obtained from workers' medical records from 2012 to 2016. Indicators of absenteeism were calculated by sociodemographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, and morbidity. Results: of the participants, 87.6% were men, 49.2% with high school educational level, 46.9% aged 50 years or older, 65.1% worked in non-operational activities. The cumulative incidence of sick leave was 71.5% and its incidence rate, 25.8 per 100 person-years. We found the highest incidence rates amongst women (31.6), workers aged 50 years or older (29.9), lower educational attainment (29.2), work experience spanned 30 years or more (31.9), working in operational activities (27.9), and regular work schedule (26.1). Musculoskeletal (n=2,001), respiratory (n=1,016), and digestive diseases (n=967) were responsible for the largest number of sick leaves. The highest number of absence days was due to musculoskeletal diseases (n=11,640), followed by injuries (n=6,267) and mental disorders (n=5,042). Low back pain diagnostic was responsible for the greatest number of absence days (n=3,632). Conclusions: health programs aimed at controlling the identified morbidities should target women, those with longer work experiences, and those with lower educational attainment.

Risk factors for sick leave in Brazilian oil industry workers.

OBJECTIVE: Studies point to a complex and multifactorial aetiology for sickness absence, but there is still insufficient evidence on how occupational and non-occupational risk factors contribute to this phenomenon. This study aimed to identify occupational and non-occupational factors related to sickness absence in oil industry workers, as well as their population attributable fractions (PAF). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 2028 oil industry workers was conducted in the state of Bahia, Brazil, between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016. Study data were obtained from workers´ medical register. The dependent variable was the first event of sick leave for five or more days, and the independent variables were gender, age, years of work, type of work activity, level of education, work schedule, awkward working postures, body mass index, smoking, physical activity and alcohol consumption. Cox regression analysis identified risk factors to the outcome and PAF were calculated. RESULTS: Being female (HR 1.79), being older (HR 1.44), non-graduated ones (HR 1.44), being of operational staff (HR 1.18), overweight (HR 1.13), obesity (HR 1.39), smoking (HR 1.61) and former smoking (HR 1.30) were risk factors for sickness absence in this cohort. Of all sickness absence in the study population, 6% could be attributed to overweight, 10% to obesity, and 8% to smoking. CONCLUSION: To prevent sick leave, we recommend programs focused on combating smoking and encouraging healthy habits, aiming at weight control and the prevention of chronic diseases. Population attributable fractions point that a universal approach, aimed at the total population will be more cost-effective than health promotion programmes restricted for high-risk populations.

Distúrbios musculoesqueléticos em extremidades superiores distais entre homens e mulheres: resultados de estudo na indústria / Musculoskeletal disorders in distal upper extremities among women and men: results of a study in the industry sector

Resumo Objetivo: estudar a associação entre distúrbios musculoesqueléticos em extremidades superiores distais (DMED) e a variável sexo na indústria de plástico. Método: estudo transversal com 577 trabalhadores. O DMED foi definido pela presença de dor nos últimos doze meses, com duração maior que uma semana ou frequência mensal, causando restrição ao trabalho ou busca por assistência médica, ou gravidade ≥ 3 (de 0 a 5), em pelo menos uma das regiões: dedos, punhos, mãos, antebraços e cotovelos. Covariáveis de interesse foram demandas físicas e psicossociais no trabalho, variáveis sociodemográficas e de estilo de vida, condicionamento físico e trabalho doméstico. Regressão logística múltipla analisou interação estatística e confundimento. Resultados: a ocorrência de DMED foi maior entre as mulheres, de forma independente das demandas ocupacionais e extralaborais testadas. Condicionamento físico foi variável de interação e demandas psicossociais, confundidora. Homens que referiram bom condicionamento físico apresentaram prevalência menor do que aqueles com mau condicionamento. Nas mulheres, estar bem condicionada fisicamente foi insuficiente para alterar substancialmente sua alta morbidade musculoesquelética. Conclusão: diferenças na exposição ocupacional são insuficientes para explicar a maior morbidade em mulheres. É necessário considerar a diversidade entre os sexos, seja socialmente determinada ou relativa à natureza biomecânica do corpo, com diferentes respostas frente às demandas do trabalho.

Abstract Objective: to study the association between musculoskeletal disorders in distal upper extremities (MSDUE) and the variable sex in the plastic industry. Method: cross-sectional study with 577 workers. The MSDUE was defined by the presence of pain in the previous twelve months, lasting for more than one week or having a monthly frequency, causing work restrictions or search for medical care, or severity ≥ 3 (from 0 to 5), in at least one of these regions: fingers, wrists, hands, forearms or elbows. Covariates of interest were: physical and psychosocial demands at work, sociodemographic and lifestyle-related variables, physical fitness and household work. Multiple logistic regression was used in order to investigate statistical interaction and presence of confounding variables. Results: MSDUE occurrence was higher among women, independently of the tested work-related and outside of work demands. Physical fitness was the interaction variable, and psychosocial demands was the confounding variable. Men who referred good physical fitness presented lower prevalence compared with those with poor physical fitness. Among women, good physical fitness was not enough to significantly reduce their high musculoskeletal morbidity. Conclusion: differences in work-related exposure do not explain the higher morbidity among women. It is necessary to consider sex differences, either socially determined or related to biomechanics, resulting in distinct responses to work demands.