Absence from work and functionality: the case of workers with lower back diseases

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the functional aspects of subjects affected by chronic diseases involving the lumbar spine and in absence from work. Method: Two steps. (1) Documentary analysis of open records of patients treated at the Worker's Health Reference Center (CEREST), Santos-SP, selection of subjects with a clinical diagnosis of "other back diseases" and initial complaint of lower back pain. (2) Use the script with semi-structured questions for the interviews with the subjects, which were recorded and transcribed for content analysis, and also an application of the Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale-OSW tool. Results: We analyzed 431 records with patients of both genders, and 15.77% (68) were diagnosed with "other back diseases". Of these, 73.5% (50) presented initial complaint of lower back pain. Ten (10) subjects participated of the interview, aged between 35-58 years, both genders, different professions, and most with little schooling. Among the subjects were found the loss of identity in social roles based on disability, postures that can trigger pain in everyday life, the need to perform tasks that can trigger pain, mental suffering related to situations, among others. Conclusion: The leave of absence due to chronic lower back pain may cause disability and suffering, and functional aspects are relational and must be analyzed and dealt with the biopsychosocial perspective and multidisciplinary teams.