Caracterização do nexo técnico epidemiológico pela perícia médica previdenciária nos benefícios auxílio-doença Characterization of the technical epidemiological nexus in social security sickness benefits by medical experts

Abstract Background : the Technical Epidemiological Nexus of Social Security (NTEP in Portuguese) has modified the characterization of occupational injuries during evaluation for sickness benefits in Brazil. Objective: to describe the profile of sickness benefit requirements when NTEP was indicated by the social security system, and to analyze the factors associated with its characterization/mischaracterization through medical evaluation. Methods: retrospective analytical study with a sample of 822 expert medical reports issued in Sao Paulo between 2008 and 2011. A logistic regression model analysis was performed to assess the association between the characterization of NTEP and sex, age, and diagnosis. Results: the profile of the beneficiaries was as follows: males (60.6%), aged 30-39 (31.8%), and presenting sickness due to injuries by external causes (35.0%). NTEP was mischaracterized in 59% of the cases, mostly because workers reported that the injury had not occurred at work (70.9%). There was an association between NTEP characterization and disabling diagnosis, mainly due to musculoskeletal disorders (OR 7.45; 95%CI 4.88-11.38).