Temperament and Early Intentions to Retire: A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study

The association of endometriosis with work ability and work life participation in late forties and lifelong disability retirement up till age 52: A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study

INTRODUCTION

Endometriosis may cause a deterioration of daily functioning due to related symptoms such as pain, fatigue and psychological distress. Accordingly, endometriosis may jeopardize work ability, as suggested in mainly survey-based case-control studies, including clinically established cases at fertile age. This is the first general population-level study to evaluate how endometriosis is associated with (1) self-rated work ability and sick leave dates at age 46 years, (2) registered disability and unemployment days between age 46 and 48 and (3) lifelong emergence of registered disability retirement up to age 52.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Endometriosis case identification was based on the Care Register for Health Care and self-reported diagnosis from a population-based birth cohort, which covers 96% of children born in Northern Finland in 1966. A total of 348 women with endometriosis and 3487 women without endometriosis were identified. Questionnaire data on Work Ability Index Score was collected at age 46. Unemployment and disability days were determined from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland and the Finnish Center for Pensions registers. Finally, each individual's first-ever granted pension decision and diagnoses were collected until age 52 years. The associations between endometriosis and work ability were assessed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Endometriosis was associated with poor work ability at age 46 (odds ratio [OR] 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.47). Furthermore, the association between endometriosis and over 10 days of absenteeism was increased (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.05-2.23). Between ages 46 and 48, women with endometriosis had 10 days more disability days (55.5 vs 45.5, p = 0.030) in comparison to women without endometriosis, but 20 days less unemployment days (40.6 vs 59.2 days, p = 0.013). There were no differences in early retirement between the study groups until age 52.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that endometriosis associates with poor work ability at age 46. Women with endometriosis have more disability days. However, their employment rate and risk of early retirement are comparable to those of women without endometriosis at late fertile age.

Contributions of Affective Temperament Traits to Professional Choice: Evidence from the Study of Firefighters, Musicians, Athletes, Bank Managers, Nurses and Paramedics

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge about the relationship between temperament and choice of profession by comparing temperaments among representatives of various professional groups.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 759 subjects aged 18-71, representatives of six professional groups: firefighters, musicians, athletes, bank managers, nurses and paramedics, were included in the study. Temperament was assessed using the TEMPS-A autoquestionnaire.

Results

Musicians showed higher levels of depressive and anxious temperaments whereas firefighters were lower on cyclothymic dimension. Athletes, bank managers and paramedics showed higher intensity of hyperthymic temperament compared to firefighters, musicians and nurses. Athletes showed lower of depressive temperament compared to bankers, musicians and nurses. Bankers obtained lower results of irritable temperament compared to musicians, athletes and nurses. Nurses showed a higher intensity of anxious temperament compared to firefighters, athletes and paramedics.

Conclusion

The results obtained support the concept of adaptive and socially useful role of affective temperaments. The studied professional groups show different individual temperamental profiles, which is justified in such aspects of the profession, as the level of stimulation, stress encountered, the necessity of making important decisions, or entering into relationship with the patient.