Use of psychotropic drugs among workers on leave due to mental disorders

Abstract

Objective To describe the use of psychotropic drugs among civil servants with registered absenteeism due to mental disorders, and to investigate associations with duration of leave of absence. Methods A cross-sectional study with civil servants on leave of absence due to mental disorders, between January and December 2017. Demographic, occupational and clinical variables were extracted from secondary data. Non-parametric tests were used to investigate correlations between use of psychotropic drugs and leave duration. Cluster analysis was used to investigate associations between occupational characteristics and illness profile. Results Antidepressants were the most commonly used drugs (82.9%). Central tendency values for days on leave differed according to the number of psychotropic drugs used. In cluster analysis, a particular cluster (servants of intermediate age group and work experience – mean of 46 years and 15 years, respectively) stood out regarding use of antidepressants, severity of depression and frequency and duration of leave of absence. Conclusion Leave of absence due to mental disorders was associated with higher rates of psychotropic drug use. The group of servants identified in this study may be a primary target for health promotion, prevention and recovery actions at the organization.

Absenteeism Due to Mental Disorders in Agents Fighting Endemic Diseases in Ceará/Northeast Brazil

“…This finding corroborates a study carried out with public servants in Minas Gerais, Brazil, linked to the same system for granting medical licenses 15 . In addition, MDs have also been among the main causes of benefits in the General Social Security System (Regime Geral de Previdência Social) 6,15 ; it demonstrated that these diagnoses have been important and are recurrent causes of days away from work 16,17 …”

“…4,5 In Brazil, they are among the 3 main causes of sick leave, together with MDs by substance use (F10-19) and mood disorders (F30-39). 1,[15][16][17] This research has demonstrated that MD due to alcohol use has been a hard reason for disability among EFA. This association was also identified in another study carried out in the region of Ceará, whose explanation was given by the fact that professionals live so far from their families, as well as the accumulation of overtime worked.…”

“…Stress-related disorders have also been shown to be important causes of disability in European countries 4,5 . In Brazil, they are among the 3 main causes of sick leave, together with MDs by substance use (F10-19) and mood disorders (F30-39) 1,15–17 …”

“…15 In addition, MDs have also been among the main causes of benefits in the General Social Security System (Regime Geral de Previdência Social) 6,15 ; it demonstrated that these diagnoses have been important and are recurrent causes of days away from work. 16,17 Stress-related disorders (F40-48) have been the second most important cause of absenteeism among EFA. From an occupational point of view, these causes are always quite relevant because many aspects related to work are considered stressors, such as excessive tasks, conflicts with bosses, and exposure to chemical agents, among others.…”

A enfermagem e o bem-estar humano: teoria e prática 2

“…Entretanto, há de se destacar que a associação de psicotrópicos em algumas situações pode ser prejudicial, pois pode aumentar a toxicidade e influenciar a ocorrência de efeitos colaterais (ARAÚJO, LIMA, GERLACK, 2018). Leão et al (2021) referem que as principais classes de psicofármacos utilizadas foram as antidepressivas, as antiepilépticas e as antipsicóticas. A associação de dois ou mais psicofármacos esteve presente em um quantitativo considerável dos servidores públicos federais (técnico-administrativos ou docentes), o que pode ser definido como "polifarmácia psicotrópica", a qual é definida como o uso de dois ou mais medicamentos psicotrópicos da mesma classe farmacológica ou de classes farmacológicas diferentes (COSTA et al, 2017).…”