Supraspinatus tendon affection and sick leave

Rotator cuff disease, among others damage of the supraspinatus tendon mainly caused by work overload, is a common problem in the population resulting in a high incidence of sick leaves. In the present survey we sought to compare the need for sick leaves in relation to different stages of supraspinatus tendon affection and in relation to five different groups of workers. Our study counted with the participation of patients who were diagnosed with this condition. The individuals were grouped according to stages of the disease (tendonitis, partial rupture, total rupture) and according to the biomechanical aspects of their occupation (general services, civil construction, domestic workers, farm workers and security guard services). Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square test, dependence analysis and exact test. Results revealed that 62 (55%) of the individuals were on sick leave. The highest rates of sick leaves according to Pearson's test occurred in the groups general services (38.71%) and farm workers (22.58%). According to the dependence analysis, tendonitis (p<0.05) was the most frequent reason for sick leaves and, according to Pearson's test, farm work seems to keep the individual for a longer space of time unfit for duty (p=0.02).