ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence, duration, and expenditure with work-related incapacity benefits (WRIB) of the Brazilian National Institute of Social Welfare, in 2008. METHOD: WRIB variables were stratified according to gender, age, and diseases categorized into ICD-10 chapters. RESULTS: There were 306,908 WRIB granted in 2008, with the prevalence of 94.2 per 10,000 insured workers. The most prevalent ICD-10 chapters were: XIX - Injury, poisoning and some other external cause consequences, XIII - Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, and V-Mental and behavioral disorders. The prevalence was higher among men (111.2) and those ≥ 40 years of age (116.9). Benefit was received for 75 ± 64 days independently of gender, and the average expenditure was R$ 2,181.00 ± 2,769.00, being higher for Chapter II - Neoplasms (R$ 5,083.00 ± 5,702.00). The average daily expenditure was R$ 29.00 ± 18.00, being higher for Chapter V (R$ 39.00 ± 23.00). Those ≥40 years of age were the most prevalent, received benefits for the longest period and the highest expenses in all chapters, except in XIX, in which the highest prevalence was of younger workers. CONCLUSION: WRIB data suggested underreporting of the work-relatedness of diseases. The prevalence of chapter XIX suggested that work environment safety measures were inadequate. Men and women showed different profiles of work disability; however, there was no gender difference in the length of benefit.
occupational injury and illness; work disability; incapacity benefit; cost; benefit expenditure
