[Usefulness of the guide of standards for the duration of processes of transient work disability published by Insalud for the attending physician].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the duration average of the ten most frequent causes of unfitness for work (ILT) observed in a services company's staff, with the duration standards registered in the guide published by the Insalud. Besides, some of the factors that could influence these ten diseases duration will be analyzed.


METHODS
An observational, retrospective, population-based study.


METHODS
Sanitary district in Madrid area.


METHODS
Hospital Universitario de la Princesa's staff. From 1-1-93 to 31-12-94, a total of 1835 ILTs have been registered among the 2147 workers.


RESULTS
Among the ten most frequent causes of ILT analysed, influenza, acute gastroenteritis, lumbalgia, anide sprain, lumbociatica, contusions, tonsillitis and bronchitis have a duration median included within the Insalud's references. Acute respiratory infection duration is situated out of the intervals. Depressive syndrome does not appear in the guide. It has been proved that all the previous causes have a greater incidence on women except for contusions, tonsillitis and bronchitis. Ankle sprain has a longer duration in workers over fifty years old.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider that Insalud's standards guide should be promoted and improved in order to be used as a reference handbook by general practitioners.
Berriochoa Martínez de Pisón
C
C
Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid.
Sanz Carabaña
P
P
Flores Ortueta
L
L
Soto Fernández
S
S
Villagrasa Ferrer
J R
JR
D000041:Absenteeism; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain
Utilidad de la guía de estándares de duración de procesos de incapacidad laboral transitoria publicada por el Insalud para el médico de cabecera.