74 Does work relatedness of an injury influence time on disability benefits in Brazil, a cohort study

Objectives Evidence on predictors of time on benefits is mainly from developed countries. Evidence from emerging economies is lacking. In this cohort study predictors for time on disability benefits were identified within a Brazilian workers compensation insurance. Workers can claim benefits for either work related or work relevant conditions. This provided us with the unique opportunity to examine the role of work relatedness of back pain on time on benefits Methods In 2008, 83,114 workers diagnosed with back pain were claiming benefits. Claimants had > 15 days away from work. The analysis was adjusted for sex, age (/ 10 year), back pain benefits in 2007, claim rate of the industrial sector in 2007, and ICD-10 diagnosis (as agreed by two physicians). Duration of follow up was 52 weeks. Predictors for time on benefits in the first episode were identified by means of Cox regression analysis. Explained variance and c-statistic were calculated. Results Median time on benefits was 55 days (Inter Quartile Range (IQR) = 33-86). 1.49% of workers was on benefits after 52 weeks. Work relatedness of the claim was associated with the outcome: those with a non work related claim returned to work 1.04 times faster compared to those with a work related condition. Only age and diagnosis had hazard rate ratios over 1.2. Explained variance of the model was 3% (c-statistic