[Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: the profile of workers receiving welfare benefit in Diamantina (MG, Brazil)].

The objective of this study was to identify the profile of workers receiving temporary or permanent benefit for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) at the Social Welfare Office in Diamantina between 2002 and 2005, and to compare the prevalence among this population. The sample was obtained through analysis of the database containing socio-demographic and clinical variables, and the profile was similar over the years. The most prevalent characteristics were among workers resident in Diamantina, between 40 and 59 years of age of elementary educational level and without difference in gender. The majority were employed in the service sector, with income below US$200 per month. The benefit granted most frequently was social welfare due to illness, the most common diagnosis being back pain with duration of benefit of 10 months. An increase in the incidence of WMSD was observed leading to a marked rise in social welfare retirement due to disability over the years. This study made it possible to establish the profile of workers retired due to WMSD in Diamantina. This tendency of growth in retirement indices reflects the world tendency. The need to implement prevention, promotion and rehabilitation policies for the health of this population arises as a clear priority from this study.