Causes of disability in one of the largest public universities in Brazil: is there a relationship with employment position?

INTRODUCTION

Disability retirement is granted to civil servants considered permanently incapable of working. Noncommunicable diseases are the main cause of permanent disability and retirement in Brazil. The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest universities in Brazil, and determining the profile of employees who receive disability pensions at this institution is of great relevance.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the profile of university employees who retired due to a disability between 2003 and 2017.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was based on disability retirement records for civil servants. Demographic variables such as sex, age at retirement, and employment position were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 630 cases were analyzed, including 334 (53%) full and 296 (47%) proportional retirements; 499 (79.2%) were aged 30 to 59 years at retirement, and 368 (51.4%) were women. The full retirement rate was higher among those with senior level positions (p < 0.001), in older age groups (p < 0.001), and in men (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Noncommunicable disease was the main cause of retirement. The mean age at permanent disability was early, regardless of sex or retirement type. Permanent disability was more common among employees in positions requiring less education. The disability rate was highest among women.