8292581 Dizziness as a Cause of Work Disability in Brazil: An Ecological Study of Benefits Granted (2022–2024)

<h3>Objective</h3> To quantify the number of work disability benefits granted due to dizziness without an identified etiological diagnosis in Brazil between 2022 and 2024. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Dizziness is defined as the sensation of disturbed bodily balance and is often accompanied by recurrent falls. These falls can lead to fractures and even more serious consequences, such as the inability to perform basic activities of daily living and work, resulting in significant impacts on both the individual and society. This ecological study analyzed data from the Social Security Statistical Yearbook on work disability benefits related to the diagnosis of ‘Dizziness and Giddiness’ (ICD-10 R42) from 2022 to 2024. The benefits were stratified by type (work-related) and disability duration (temporary/or permanent). <h3>Results</h3> A total of 1,963 work disability benefits were granted during the study period, of which 11 (0.57%) were classified as work-related and 1,952 (99.43%) as non-work related. Regarding the duration of benefits for work-related diseases, almost all were for temporary disability, with only one for permanent disability. For non-work-related benefits, 1,906 were temporary, and 46 were permanent. The number of benefits increased 98% over time: 457 in 2022, 601 in 2023, and 905 in 2024. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Most of the benefits granted for dizziness were temporary and of non-occupational origin and were approved despite the absence of a defined etiological diagnosis. This suggests that dizziness alone can lead to work disability, particularly in occupations where it may pose a significant safety risk, such as operating machinery, working at heights, handling sharp instruments, or driving. Although the dataset lacks occupational detail, the findings support the need for targeted prevention and rehabilitation strategies to reduce the individual, social, and economic burden associated with dizziness-related work disability.