Sickness absence and disability pension after road traffic accidents, a nationwide register-based study comparing different road user groups with matched references

Background

Being injured in a road traffic accident may affect individuals' functional ability and in turn lead to sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP). Knowledge regarding long-term consequences in terms of SA and DP following a road traffic accident is lacking, especially comparing different groups of road users and compared to the general population. The aim was to estimate excess diagnosis-specific SA and DP among individuals of different road user groups injured in a road traffic accident compared to matched references without such injury.

Methods

A nationwide register-based study, including all working individuals aged 20-59 years and living in Sweden who in 2015 had in- or specialized outpatient healthcare after a new traffic-related injury (n = 20 177) and population-based matched references (matched on: sex, age, level of education, country of birth, living in cities) without any traffic-related injury during 2014-2015 (n = 100 885). Diagnosis-specific (injury and other diagnoses) SA and DP were assessed during 5 years: 1 year before and 4 years following the accident. Mean SA and DP net days/year for each road user group and mean differences of (excess) SA and DP net days/year compared with their matched references were calculated with independent t-tests with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A third of all injured road users were bicyclists, 31% were car occupants, 16% were pedestrians (including fall accidents), and 19% were other and unspecified accidents. Pedestrians and other road users were the groups with the highest mean number of SA days during the first year following the accident (51 and 49 days/year respectively). The matched references had between 8 and 13 SA days/year throughout the study period. The excess SA days/year were elevated for all road user groups all five studied years. Excess SA due to injury diagnoses was 15-35 days/year during the first year following the accident. Excess SA due to diagnoses other than injuries were about eight days/year during the whole study period for pedestrians and car occupants and about zero for the bicyclists. The excess DP was low, although it increased every year after the accident for pedestrians and car occupants; for bicyclists no excess DP was seen.

Conclusion

Higher levels of SA due to injury diagnoses were seen among all road user groups during the first year after the accident compared to their references. Pedestrians and car occupants had more excess SA due to other diagnoses and more excess DP four years after the accident than bicyclists and other road users.

Labour market integration among young adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at working age

METHODS

Multiple Swedish nationwide registers were used to identify 8045 individuals, aged 20-29, with an incident diagnosis of ADHD 2006-2011. Labour market integration was conceptualized according to the core-peripheral model as a continuum from a strong (core) to a weak (peripheral) connection to the labour market. Sequence analyses categorized clusters of labour market integration, from 1 year before to 5 years after their ADHD diagnosis for individuals diagnosed with ADHD and a matched control group without ADHD. Multinomial logistic regression computed odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between sociodemographic factors and comorbid disorders and the identified clusters.

RESULTS

About one-fourth of the young adults diagnosed with ADHD belonged to clusters characterized by a transition to a mainly peripheral labour market position, which was approximately four-times higher compared to controls without ADHD. Foremost, those living in small cities/villages (OR 1.9; CI 1.5-2.2), those having comorbid autism-spectrum disorder (OR 13.7; CI 6.8-27.5) or schizophrenia/psychoses (OR 7.8; CI 3.8-15.9) were associated with a transition towards a peripheral labour market position throughout the study period. Those with a high educational level (OR 0.1; CI 0.1-0.1), and men (OR 0.7; CI 0.6-0.8) were less likely to have a peripheral labour market position.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adults diagnosed with ADHD are four-times more likely to be in the peripheral labour market position compared to those without ADHD. To increase labour market participation, special attention is warranted to those with low educational level, those living outside big cities and those with comorbid mental disorders.

Sustainable labour market participation among working young adults with diagnosed attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Background

The aims were to study the sustainability of labour-market participation five years after an incident diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among young adults with gainful employment, and to examine the impact of sociodemographic-, work- and health-related factors on these findings.

Methods

Swedish registers identified 2517 individuals, 19-29 years old, with an incident diagnosis of ADHD and gainful employment during 2006-2011. Labour-market participation was measured by the core-peripheral model, a model that measures the connection to the labour market from a weak connection (peripheral) to a strong connection (core). Sequence analysis analysed clusters of labour-market participation, from one year before and up to five years after diagnosis. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between sociodemographic factors, comorbid disorders, and the identified clusters were analysed by multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Five clusters of labour-market participation were identified: 60% of individuals belonged to a cluster that maintained labour-market participation throughout the study period (core, close to core); 20% belonged to a cluster with a transition to a weak connection to the labour market (close to peripheral, peripheral); and 20% belonged to a cluster with "middle" labour-market participation, characterised by having long periods of sick leave and unemployment. Individuals with elementary school as highest attained education (OR:4.03;CI:2.35-6.93), comorbid mental disorders (OR:2.77;CI:2.10-3.66), or living in villages/small cities (OR:1.77;CI:1.25-2.51) were most likely to belong to a cluster transitioning towards a "peripheral" labour-market participation. Men were less likely to have peripheral labour-market participation than women (OR:0.55;CI:0.40-0.75).

Conclusions

Over half of working individuals with ADHD maintain a strong attachment to the labour market several years after their first diagnosis of ADHD. Therefore, it is important to target those who have problems maintaining a position in the labour market, including women, those with low educational levels, and those living outside large cities.

Fall and collision related injuries among pedestrians, sickness absence and associations with accident type and occupation

OBJECTIVES

This study explores pedestrian fall accidents and collisions with other road users in the Swedish road transport system, and sickness absence (SA) in relation to accident type, injury, and occupation. Further, it studies the associations between accident type, occupation, and duration of SA.

METHODS

Data from several national registers were used that included 15,359 working age pedestrians (20-64 years) receiving healthcare after a fall or collision throughout 2014-2016. Individual characteristics, accident type, injury, and occupation were presented and related to SA. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals, for associations between accident type, occupation, and SA duration.

RESULTS

About 11,000 pedestrians (72%) were involved in fall accidents in the road traffic environment and well over 4,000 in collisions with another road user; 22% of all injured pedestrians had a new SA. The population had a higher proportion of women and individuals in older age groups (≥45). Of the falls, 31% were due to snow or ice, and these were associated with a higher OR for both short SA (<90 days) 1.76 (95% CI 1.56-1.98) and long SA (≥90 days) 1.81 (95% CI 1.51-2.18), compared to the group slipping, tripping, and stumbling. The working sectors health & social care, and construction had the highest ORs for SA. A higher OR was found for health & social care, short SA 1.58 (95% CI 1.38-1.81), long SA 1.79 (95% CI 1.45-2.20) and for construction, short SA 1.56 (95% CI 1.24-1.96), long SA 1.75 (95% CI 1.26-2.44), compared to the sector finance, communication, & cultural service.

CONCLUSIONS

The OR for having short and long SA was higher in falls due to snow or ice and differed between occupational sectors.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

This information contributes to the knowledge base for planning a safe road transport system for pedestrians.

Diagnosis-specific sickness absence among injured working-aged pedestrians: a sequence analysis

BACKGROUND

The knowledge about the long-term consequences in terms of sickness absence (SA) among pedestrians injured in a traffic-related accident, including falls, is scarce. Therefore, the aim was to explore diagnosis-specific patterns of SA during a four-year period and their association with different sociodemographic and occupational factors among all individuals of working ages who were injured as a pedestrian.

METHODS

A nationwide register-based study, including all individuals aged 20-59 and living in Sweden, who in 2014-2016 had in- or specialized outpatient healthcare after a new traffic-related accident as a pedestrian. Diagnosis-specific SA (> 14 days) was assessed weekly from one year before the accident up until three years after the accident. Sequence analysis was used to identify patterns (sequences) of SA, and cluster analysis to form clusters of individuals with similar sequences. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for association of the different factors and cluster memberships were estimated by multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

In total, 11,432 pedestrians received healthcare due to a traffic-related accident. Eight clusters of SA patterns were identified. The largest cluster was characterized by no SA, three clusters had different SA patterns due to injury diagnoses (immediate, episodic, and later). One cluster had SA both due to injury and other diagnoses. Two clusters had SA due to other diagnoses (short-term and long-term) and one cluster mainly consisted of individuals with disability pension (DP). Compared to the cluster "No SA", all other clusters were associated with older age, no university education, having been hospitalized, and working in health and social care. The clusters "Immediate SA", "Episodic SA" and "Both SA due to injury and other diagnoses" were also associated with higher odds of pedestrians who sustained a fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide study of the working-aged pedestrians observed diverging patterns of SA after their accident. The largest cluster of pedestrians had no SA, and the other seven clusters had different patterns of SA in terms of diagnosis (injury and other diagnoses) and timing of SA. Differences were found between all clusters regarding sociodemographic and occupational factors. This information can contribute to the understanding of long-term consequences of road traffic accidents.

Sickness absence and disability pension among injured working-aged pedestrians - a population-based Swedish register study

Background

The knowledge is scarce about sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) among pedestrians injured in a traffic-related accident, including falls. Thus, the aim was to explore the frequencies of types of accidents and injuries and their association with SA and DP among working-aged individuals.

Methods

A nationwide register-based study, including all individuals aged 16-64 and living in Sweden, who in 2010 had in- or specialized outpatient healthcare after a new traffic-related accident as a pedestrian. Information on age, sex, sociodemographics, SA, DP, type of accident, injury type, and injured body region was used. Frequencies of pedestrians with no SA or DP, with ongoing SA or full-time DP already at the time of the accident, and with a new SA spell >14 days in connection to the accident were analyzed. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for new SA were estimated by logistic regression.

Results

In total, 5576 pedestrians received healthcare due to a traffic-related accident (of which 75% were falls, with half of the falls related to snow and ice). At the time of the accident, 7.5% were already on SA and 10.8% on full-time DP, while 20% started a new SA spell. The most common types of injuries were fractures (45%) and external injuries (30%). The body region most frequently injured was the lower leg, ankle, foot, and other (in total 26%). Older individuals had a higher OR for new SA compared with younger (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.44-2.53, for ages: 45-54 vs. 25-34). The injury type with the highest OR for new SA, compared with the reference group external injuries, was fractures (9.58; 7.39-12.43). The injured body region with the highest OR for new SA, compared with the reference group head, face, and neck, was lower leg, ankle, foot, and other (4.52; 2.78-7.36).

Conclusions

In this explorative nationwide study of the working-aged pedestrians injured in traffic-related accidents including falls, one fifth started a new SA spell >14 days. Fractures, internal injuries, collisions with motor vehicle, and falls related to snow and ice had the strongest associations with new SA.

Sequence analysis of sickness absence and disability pension in the year before and the three years following a bicycle crash; a nationwide longitudinal cohort study of 6353 injured individuals

Background

Bicyclists are the road user group with the highest number of severe injuries in the EU, yet little is known about sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) following such injuries.

Aims

To explore long-term patterns of SA and DP among injured bicyclists, and to identify characteristics associated with the specific patterns.

Methods

A longitudinal register-based study was conducted, including all 6353 individuals aged 18–59 years and living in Sweden in 2009, who in 2010 had incident in-patient or specialized out-patient healthcare after a bicycle crash. Information about sociodemographic factors, the injury, SA (SA spells > 14 days), and DP was obtained from nationwide registers. Weekly SA/DP states over 1 year before through 3 years after the crash date were used in sequence and cluster analyses. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for factors associated with each identified sequence cluster.

Results

Seven clusters were identified: “No SA or DP” (58.2% of the cohort), “Low SA or DP” (7.4%), “Immediate SA” (20.3%), “Episodic SA” (5.9%), “Long-term SA” (1.7%), “Ongoing part-time DP” (1.7%), and “Ongoing full-time DP” (4.8%). Compared to the cluster “No SA or DP”, all other clusters had higher ORs for women, and higher age. All clusters but “Low SA and DP” had higher ORs for inpatient healthcare. The cluster “Immediate SA” had a higher OR for: fractures (OR 4.3; CI 3.5–5.2), dislocation (2.8; 2.0–3.9), sprains and strains (2.0; 1.5–2.7), and internal injuries (3.0; 1.3–6.7) compared with external injuries. The cluster “Episodic SA” had higher ORs for: traumatic brain injury, not concussion (4.2; 1.1–16.1), spine and back (4.5; 2.2–9.5), torso (2.5; 1.4–4.3), upper extremities (2.9; 1.9–4.5), and lower extremities (3.5; 2.2–5.5) compared with injuries to the head, face, and neck (not traumatic brain injuries). The cluster “Long-term SA” had higher ORs for collisions with motor vehicles (1.9;1.1–3.2) and traumatic brain injury, not concussion (18.4;2.2–155.2).

Conclusion

Sequence analysis enabled exploration of the large heterogeneity of SA and DP following a bicycle crash. More knowledge is needed on how to prevent bicycle crashes and especially those crashes/injuries leading to long-term consequences.

Sickness absence and disability pension sequences before and after a bicycle crash; a Swedish study

Background

In recent years, bicycle injuries have increased, yet little is known about impact of such injures on sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP). The aim was to explore the long-term patterns of SA and DP among injured bicyclists.

Methods

A longitudinal register-based study was conducted, including all individuals aged 18-59 years and living in Sweden, who in 2010 had incident in- or specialized out-patient healthcare for injuries sustained in a bicycle crash. Information about sociodemographics, the injury, SA, DP, and deaths were obtained from several nationwide registers. Weekly SA/DP data for four years: one year before and three years after the crash were used in sequence and cluster analyses. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for factors associated with each sequence cluster.

Results

Among all 6465 individuals injured in a bicycle crash 2010, five clusters were identified: No SA or DP (60.2%), Immediate SA (17.7%), Episodic SA (15.3%), Part-time DP (1.6%), and Full-time DP (5.2%). Compared to the cluster No SA or DP, all other clusters had high ORs for female sex, older age, living in small cities/villages, and inpatient care. Immediate SA also had high ORs for cyclists who sustained a fracture (OR 5.53; CI 4.47-6.83), dislocation (3.26; 2.29-4.65), sprains and strains (2.29; 1.68-3.10), and internal injuries (4.39; 1.95-9.90). Episodic SA had high ORs for other traumatic brain injury than concussion (6.27; 2.23-17.64) and injuries located in the spine and back (3.52; 2.12-5.86), torso (1.78; 1.29-2.45), upper extremities (1.95; 1.54-2.46), and lower extremities (1.85; 1.43-2.41).

Conclusions

Having SA in direct connection to the crash was associated with type of injury, in contrast to Episodic SA where the injured body region was of more importance, in particular other traumatic brain injuries and injuries to the spine and back.

Key messages

This nationwide study of new bicycle crashes found five clusters of sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) sequences; No SA or DP, Immediate SA, Episodic SA, Part-time DP, and Full-time DP. The type of injury was more important for SA in direct connection to the crash, while the injured body region was of more importance for continued and repeated SA up to three years after the crash.

Bicycle crashes and sickness absence - a population-based Swedish register study of all individuals of working ages

BACKGROUND

In recent years, bicycle injuries have increased, yet little is known about the impact of such injures on sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP). The aim was to explore SA and DP among individuals of working ages injured in a bicycle crash.

METHOD

A nationwide register-based study, including all individuals aged 16-64 years and living in Sweden, who in 2010 had in- or specialized out-patient healthcare (including emergency units) after a bicycle crash. Information on age, sex, sociodemographics, SA, DP, crash type, injury type, and injured body region was used. We analyzed individuals with no SA or DP, with ongoing SA or full-time DP already at the time of the crash, and with new SA > 14 days in connection to the crash. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals for new SA were estimated by logistic regression.

RESULTS

In total, 7643 individuals had healthcare due to a new bicycle crash (of which 85% were single-bicycle crashes). Among all, 10% were already on SA or full-time DP at the time of the crash, while 18% had a new SA spell. The most common types of injuries were external injuries (38%) and fractures (37%). The body region most frequently injured was the upper extremities (43%). Women had higher OR (1.40; 1.23-1.58) for new SA than men, as did older individuals compared with younger (OR 2.50; 2.02-3.09, for ages: 55-64 vs. 25-34). The injury types with the highest ORs for new SA, compared with the reference group external injuries was fractures (8.04; 6.62-9.77) and internal injuries (7.34; 3.67-14.66). Individuals with traumatic brain injury and injuries to the vertebral column and spinal cord had higher ORs for SA compared with other head, face, and neck injuries (2.72; 1.19-6.22 and 3.53; 2.24-5.55, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In this explorative nationwide study of new bicycle crashes among individuals of working ages, 18% had a new SA spell in connection to the crash while 10% were already on SA or DP. The ORs for new SA were higher among women, older individuals, and among individuals with a fracture.

Sick leave before and after the age of 65 years among those in paid work in Sweden in 2000 or 2005: a register-based cohort study

Objective

With pressure for older people to remain in work, research is needed on how people aged over 65 years fare in the labour market. However, few studies have focused on sick leave among older workers, especially those over the standard retirement age. This study investigated changes in sick-leave patterns among people aged over 65 years still in work.

Methods

All individuals in Sweden who turned 65 years old in 2000 or 2005 were followed from 1995 to 2010. The mean number of sick-leave days per year was measured for those who remained in paid work past the age of 65 years.

Results

Those over 65 years still working had fewer sick-leave days before the age of 65 years than those who retired. They also had fewer sick-leave days after 65 years than before. There were fewer socioeconomic differences after 65 years than before, but these differences were greater for workers over 65 years in the 2005 cohort.

Conclusions

Although there were more people over 65 years in paid work in 2005, sick-leave days and socioeconomic differences in sick leave were lower in this age group. Sick-leave days and socioeconomic differences in sick leave were greater in the 2005 cohort.

Sick leave among people in paid work after age 65: A Swedish population-based study covering 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010

Aims: Extending working life into older age groups is discussed in many countries. However, there is no knowledge about how this affects rates of sick leave. The aim of this work was to investigate rates of sick leave among people in paid work after retirement age and if such rates have changed over time. Methods: Swedish nationwide register data on people aged >65 years and living in Sweden in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010 were analysed. All people with a sufficiently high work income to be eligible for public sick leave benefits were included. The proportions in paid work and compensated rates of sick leave for people aged 66–70 and ≥71 were analysed by sex, educational level, country of birth, living area, and employment type and sector. Results: The percentage of people in paid work at ages 66–70 years increased from <10% in 1995 to 24% in 2010 and among those aged ≥71 years from 2.7% in 1995 to 3.5% in 2010. The rates of sick leave among working people aged 66–70 years were 3.3% in 1995 and 2.4% in 2010 and for people aged ≥71 years the rates of sick leave were 2.2% in 1995 and 0.2% in 2010. Women had higher rates of sick leave than men in 2005 and 2010, but lower in 1995 and 2000. In 2010, the rates of sick leave were similar between employees and the self-employed, and higher among employees in the public sector than among employees in the private sector. Conclusions: Rates of sick leave among workers aged >65 years were lower in 2010 than in 1995, despite much higher rates of labour market participation in 2010.

Sleep Apnea, Disability Pensions, and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Swedish Nationwide Register Linkage Study

Sleep apnea is a common problem affecting daily functioning and health. We evaluated associations between sleep apnea and receipt of a disability pension and mortality in a prospective study of 74,543 cases of sleep apnea (60,125 outpatient, 14,418 inpatient) from the Swedish Patient Register (2000-2009 inclusive). Cases were matched to 5 noncases (n = 371,592) and followed from diagnosis/inclusion to December 31, 2010, via nationwide registers. During a mean follow-up period of 5.1 (standard deviation, 2.7) years, 13% of men and 21% of women with inpatient sleep apnea received a disability pension. Inpatient sleep apnea was associated with higher total mortality (for men, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59, 1.84; for women, HR = 2.33, 95% CI: 2.04, 2.67), with associations being strongest for deaths due to ischemic heart disease (for men, HR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.94, 2.65; for women, HR = 5.27, 95% CI: 3.78, 7.34), respiratory disorders (for men, HR = 3.29, 95% CI: 2.45, 4.42; for women, HR= 5.24, 95% CI: 3.52, 7.81), and suicide (for men, HR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.60; for women, HR = 4.33, 95% CI: 1.96, 9.56). There were no associations of inpatient sleep apnea with cancer mortality. Outpatient sleep apnea was associated with a higher risk of receiving a disability pension but not higher total mortality. In conclusion, inpatient sleep apnea is related to a higher risk of disability pension receipt and mortality a decade after diagnosis.

Sickness presence in the Swedish Police in 2007 and in 2010: Associations with demographic factors, job characteristics, and health

BACKGROUND

Sickness presence (SP) is a complex phenomenon that has been shown to predict sickness absence, poor work performance, and suboptimal self-rated health. However, more research is needed to increase the understanding of how SP relates to occupational factors, demographic variables, and self-rated health.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the prevalence of SP among the Police employees in Sweden in 2007 and in 2010; (2) the association between demographics, seniority, occupational group (police officer vs civil servant), and self-reported health on the one hand and SP on the other hand for both years separately.

METHODS

Survey data from Swedish Police employees from 2007 (n = 17,512) and 2010 (n = 18,415) were analyzed using logistic regression to assess odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

The prevalence of SP was stable between the years, but the proportion who stated that they had not been ill at all decreased from 2007 to 2010 (28.0% vs. 23.6%), while the proportion stating always having stayed at home when ill did not differ; 45.0% in 2007 to 45.8% in 2010. The ORs of SP were higher among those with suboptimal self-rated health compared to those with optimal self-rated health (4.38 (95% CI 4.02- 4.78) and 4.31 (3.96- 4.70) in 2007 and 2010, respectively) and among police officers compared with civilians (1.26 (1.17-1.36) and 1.19 (1.10-1.28)), whereas no clear patterns were found for age, gender, and seniority.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalences of SP were about the same in 2007 and 2010 and were slightly lower compared to in previous studies. The strong association between SP and suboptimal self-rated health suggests that high levels of SP may be an early marker of future illness and sickness absence. In future studies of SP it is important to account for having been ill, that is, at risk of SP.

Work disability before and after a major cardiovascular event: a ten-year study using nationwide medical and insurance registers

We examined the trajectories of work disability before and after IHD and stroke events. New IHD (n = 13521) and stroke (n = 7162) cases in 2006–2008 were retrieved from nationwide Swedish hospital records and their annual work disability days five years before and after the date of diagnosis were retrieved from a nationwide disability register. There was no pre-event differences in disability days between the IHD and stroke cases and five years prior to the event, they were close to those observed in the general population. In the first post-event year, the adjusted mean days increased to 83.9 (95% CI 80.6–86.5) in IHD; to 179.5 (95% CI 172.4–186.8) in stroke, a six-fold increase in IHD and 14-fold in stroke. Work disability leveled off among the IHD cases but not among those who had stroke. The highest disability levels for the fifth post-event year after a stroke event was associated with pre-existing diabetes (146.9), mental disorder (141.2), non-employment (137.0), and immigrant status (117.9). In a working-age population, the increase in work disability after a cardiovascular event decreases close to the pre-event level in IHD but remains particularly high after stroke; among patients with comorbid depression or diabetes, immigrants, and those not in employment.

Life satisfaction of women of working age shortly after breast cancer surgery

Purpose

To explore, among women of working age, satisfaction with life as a whole and with different life domains, and its associations with social and health variables, shortly after breast cancer surgery.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 605 women, aged 20–63 years, who had had breast cancer surgery with no distant metastasis, pre-surgical chemotherapy, or previous breast cancer. Associations between LiSat-11 and demographic and social factors as well as health- and treatment-related variables were analysed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Compared with Swedish reference levels, the women were, after breast cancer surgery, less satisfied with life, particularly sexual life. Women working shortly after breast cancer surgery were more often satisfied with life in provision domains compared with the reference population. Although most included variables showed associations with satisfaction, after adjustment for all significantly associated variables, only six variables—having children, being in work, having emotional and informational social support, and having good physical and emotional functioning—were positively associated with satisfaction with life as a whole. The odds ratios for satisfaction were higher in most life domains if the woman had social support and good emotional and cognitive functioning.

Conclusions

One month after breast cancer surgery, satisfaction with different life domains was associated primarily with social support and health-related functioning. However, this soon after surgery, treatment-related variables showed no significant associations with life satisfaction. These results are useful for planning interventions to enhance e.g. social support and emotional as well as cognitive functioning.

The joint contribution of diabetes and work disability to premature death during working age: a population-based study in Sweden

AIMS

We aimed to examine how newly diagnosed diabetes and work disability jointly predict death during working age.

METHODS

We used prospective population-based register data of 25-59-year-old adults who had lived in Sweden since 2002. All those with onset of diabetes recorded in 2006 were included (n=14266). A 2% random sample (n=78598) was drawn from the general population, comprising people with no indication of diabetes during 2003-2010. Net days of sickness absence and disability pension in 2005-2006 were examined; the follow-up time for mortality was 2007-2010. Cox regression models were fitted (hazard ratios, HR, 95% confidence interval, CI) adjusting for sociodemographics and time-dependent health conditions.

RESULTS

Individuals with diabetes and work disability for over 6 months were at a higher risk of premature death (HR=14.2, 95% CI 12.0-16.8) than their counterparts without diabetes and work disability. A high risk was also observed among people without diabetes but equally prolonged work disability (HR=6.4, 95% CI 5.4-7.6). Diabetes was associated with premature death even without work disability (HR=3.5, 95% CI 2.8-4.4). The associations were particularly attenuated after adjustment for health conditions assessed over the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

DIABETES AND WORK DISABILITY JOINTLY INCREASE THE RISK OF DEATH DURING WORKING AGE DIABETES WITH LONG-TERM WORK DISABILITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HIGHEST RISK OF PREMATURE DEATH, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION.

A study to examine the influence of health professionals' advice and support on work capacity and sick leave after breast cancer surgery

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate how women, shortly after breast cancer surgery, experienced encounters with, and information from, healthcare professionals regarding work and sick leave and if these experiences were associated with self-reported work capacity and sick leave.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study based on questionnaire data from 605 women who had had breast cancer surgery, aged 20-63 years. Exclusion criteria were known distant metastases, pre surgical therapy, and/or previous breast cancer. Data on age, type of surgery, global health, and work environment were included as covariates in multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Five percent of the women had not received any advice concerning work or sick leave. Women reporting receiving useful advice or support related to paid work had lower risk of reporting reduced physical or psychological/social work capacity due to the cancer or treatment (OR 0.46 (95 % CI 0.26-0.81) respective OR 0.45 (95 % CI 0.26-0.77)). There were no associations between having received useful advice or support concerning work and being on sick leave. Women encouraged to take sick leave had an OR of 2.17 (95 % CI 1.39-3.37) of being sickness absent. They also to a higher extent had reduced physical and psychological/social work capacity. Women who reported to have been encouraged to work were sickness absent to a lower extent (OR 0.64; 95 % CI 0.41-0.98) and reported higher physical work capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

Work and sick leave is being discussed during consultations with women with breast cancer and the advice given seems to be in line with the women's subjective work capacity.

Contribution of comorbid conditions to the association between diabetes and disability pensions: a population-based nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Using Swedish population-based register data, we examined the extent to which comorbid conditions contribute to the risk of disability pension among people with diabetes.

METHODS

We carried out Cox proportional hazard analyses with comorbid conditions as time-dependent covariates among 14 198 people with newly diagnosed diabetes in 2006, and 39 204 people free from diabetes during the follow-up from 2007-2010. The average follow-up times were 46 and 48 months for those with and without diabetes, respectively.

RESULTS

For those with diabetes only, the incidence of all-cause disability pension was 9.5 per 1000 person-years. The highest incidence of disability pension were for those with: diabetes and depression (23.6); diabetes and musculoskeletal disorder (30.6), and those with diabetes and more than one comorbid condition (36.5). The incidence rate was 5.8 for those without diabetes. Diabetes was associated with a 2.30 times [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.09-2.54] higher risk of disability pension (adjusted for sociodemographic factors). This association attenuated by 41% after further adjustment for comorbid chronic conditions. While diabetes was a risk factor for disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders and diseases of the circulatory system, even after accounting for the above-mentioned conditions, the association between disability pension due to mental disorders and diabetes was diluted after adjustment for mental disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Although diabetes is an independent risk factor for disability pension, comorbid conditions contribute to this risk to a large degree.

Occurrence of sickness absence and disability pension in relation to childbirth: A 16-year follow-up study of 6323 Swedish twins

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period may imply morbidity leading to work incapacity; however, this is seldom studied. This study aimed to compare twin sisters giving or not giving birth regarding occurrence of sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP).

METHODS

This population-based cohort study included all 6323 female twins born in Sweden 1959-1990, using register data for 1994-2010 about SA and DP. Average number of SA/DP days/year was calculated in relation to the year of the first delivery, or, if not giving birth, the year when the twin sister gave birth. Twin pairs discordant for delivery were used to investigate the importance of genetic and environmental factors for occurrence of SA and DP.

RESULTS

In all, 52% had a first delivery during 1994-2010. Except for the year of delivery, the average number of SA days/year was similar when comparing women who gave birth to those who did not, while number of DP days was significantly higher in women who did not give birth. Differences between the groups seem attributable to genetic factors. Women who delivered once had higher levels of SA and DP than those who had several deliveries. DP with mental diagnoses was more common among women who had not delivered whereas DP with musculoskeletal diagnoses occurred more often among women who delivered.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of SA were similar among women who gave birth and who did not. Women not giving birth had significantly higher levels of DP, indicating health selections into childbirth.

Trends of diagnosis-specific work disability after newly diagnosed diabetes: a 4-year nationwide prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

We examined trends of diagnosis-specific work disability after newly diagnosed diabetes, comparing individuals with diabetes with those without diabetes, and identified the subgroups with the highest levels of work disability.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The register data of diabetes medication and in- and outpatient hospital visits were used to identify all recorded new diabetes cases among the population aged 25-59 years in Sweden in 2006 (n = 14,098). Data for a 4-year follow-up of ICD-10 physician-certified sickness absence and disability pension days (2007‒2010) were obtained from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Comparisons were made using a random sample of the population without recorded diabetes (n = 39,056).

RESULTS

The most common causes of work disability were mental and musculoskeletal disorders; diabetes as a reason for disability was rare. Most of the excess work disability among people with diabetes compared with those without diabetes was owing to mental disorders (mean difference adjusted for confounding factors 18.8‒19.8 compensated days/year), musculoskeletal diseases (12.1‒12.8 days/year), circulatory diseases (5.9‒6.5 days/year), diseases of the nervous system (1.8‒2.0 days/year), and injuries (1.0‒1.2 days/year). The disparity in mental disorders first widened and then narrowed, while the difference in other major diagnostic categories was stable over 4 years. The highest rate (45.3 days/year) was found among people who had diabetes, lived alone, and were disabled from work owing to mental disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased risk of work disability among those with diabetes is largely attributed to comorbid mental, musculoskeletal, and circulatory diseases. It is important to monitor comorbid conditions and take account of socioeconomic disadvantage.

Functional impairment due to bereavement after the death of adolescent or young adult offspring in a national population study of 1,051,515 parents

PURPOSE

This study addresses the burden of grief after the death of an adolescent or young adult offspring. Parental bereavement following the death of an adolescent or young adult offspring is associated with considerable psychiatric and somatic impairment. Our aim is to fill a research gap by examining offspring death due to suicide, accidents, or natural causes in relation to risk of parental sickness absence with psychiatric or somatic disorders.

METHODS

This whole population-based prospective study included mothers and fathers of all offspring aged 16-24 years in Sweden on December 31, 2004 (n = 1,051,515). This study had no loss to follow-up and exposure, confounders, and the outcome were recorded independently of each other. Cox survival analysis was used to model time to sickness absence exceeding 30 days, adjusting for parental demographic characteristics, previous parental sickness absence and disability pension, and inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and somatic healthcare prior to offspring death in 2001-2004. This large study population provided satisfactory statistical power for stratification by parents' sex and adolescent and young adults' cause of death.

RESULTS

Mothers and fathers of offspring suicide and accident decedents both had over tenfold higher risk for psychiatric sickness absence exceeding 30 days as compared to parents of live offspring. Fathers of suicide decedents were at 40 % higher risk for somatic sickness absence.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest study to date of parents who survived their offspring's death and the first study of work-related outcomes in bereaved parents. This study uses a broad metric of work-related functional impairment, sickness absence, for capturing the burden of sudden offspring death.

Length of sick leave as a risk marker of hip fracture: a nationwide cohort study from Sweden

Sickness absence is a risk marker for future health outcomes, but no previous studies have examined its association with osteoporotic fractures in old age. The results of this prospective population-based cohort study based on Swedish registers suggest that sickness absence is associated with higher risk of hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION

Number of sick leave days is a risk marker for future health outcomes, but few studies have examined its association with major public health concerns in old age, such as osteoporotic fractures. The aim of this prospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study based on Swedish registers was to investigate the association between number of sick leave days and future risk of hip fracture.

METHODS

Participants included were all 983,244 individuals who were living in Sweden on 31 December 1995, aged 50 to 64 years, employed, and with no previous hip fracture. Those with sick leave days in 1995 were compared to those with no sickness absence. Incidence of hip fracture was followed from 1996 to 2010.

RESULTS

According to Cox regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors and morbidity, being on sick leave more than 3 months, irrespective of cause, was associated with a 2.0-fold (hazard ratio (HR) 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.74-2.20) and 1.4-fold (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.27-1.56) increased risk of hip fracture in men and women, respectively. Analyses repeated among those with previous non-hip fractures replicated the significant associations.

CONCLUSION

This nationwide cohort study suggests that sickness absence in working-age women and men is a risk marker of hip fracture at old ages.

Childbirth, hospitalisation and sickness absence: a study of female twins

OBJECTIVE

To investigate associations of giving birth with morbidity in terms of hospitalisation and social consequences of morbidity in terms of sickness absence (SA), while taking familial (genetics and shared environmental) factors into account.

DESIGN

Prospective register-based cohort study. Estimates of risk of hospitalisation and SA were calculated as HRs with 95% CIs.

SETTING

All female twins, that is, women with a twin sister, born in Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

5118 Swedish female twins (women with a twin sister), born during 1959-1990, where at least one in the twin pair had their first childbirth (T0) during 1994-2009 and none gave birth before 1994.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Hospitalisation and SA during year 3-5 after first delivery or equivalent.

RESULTS

Preceding the first childbirth, the mean annual number of SA days increased for mothers, and then decreased again. Hospitalisation after T0 was associated with higher HRs of short-term and long-term SA (HR for short-term SA 3.0; 95% CI 2.5 to 3.6 and for long-term SA 2.3; 95% CI 1.6 to 3.2). Hospitalisation both before and after first childbirth was associated with a higher risk of future SA (HR for long-term SA 4.2; 95% CI 2.7 to 6.4). Familial factors influenced the association between hospitalisation and long-term SA, regardless of childbirth status.

CONCLUSIONS

Women giving birth did not have a higher risk for SA than those not giving birth and results indicate a positive health selection into giving birth. Mothers hospitalised before and/or after giving birth had higher risks for future SA, that is, there was a strong association between morbidity and future SA.

Occupational health physicians have better work conditions for handling sickness certification compared with general practitioners: results from a nationwide survey in Sweden

AIMS

To study whether occupational health physicians (OPs) have a better work situation regarding handling of sickness certification compared with other physicians, in particular general practitioners (GPs), and to analyze associations between OPs' experiences of assessing and providing a long-term prognosis of patients' work capacity and some potentially interrelated factors.

METHODS

Answers to a nationwide survey from physicians who had sickness certification consultations at least once monthly were analyzed. Differences among OPs (n=481), GPs (n=4257) and physicians working in other clinical settings (n=9452) were estimated by chi square tests. Associations between OPs' experiences as above and potentially interrelated factors were estimated using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Among OPs, a lower proportion experienced clinical work situations related to sickness certifications as 'very problematic', compared with the other physicians, and especially so compared with GPs. A higher proportion of OPs also had organizational support for handling sickness certifications. For OPs, experience of sickness certification consultations as problematic once a month or less often, not experiencing sickness certification tasks as a work environment problem, and having a well-established workplace policy regarding sickness certification matters were significantly positively associated with finding assessing and providing a long-term prognosis of work capacity as 'not at all/somewhat problematic'.

CONCLUSIONS

OPs' work situation regarding sickness certifications was favorable compared with that of other physicians, and especially compared with that of GPS. Our results underline the importance of organizational support for ensuring physicians' experience of having professional competence in handling assessments of patients' work capacity.

Psychiatric diagnoses and risk of suicidal behaviour in young disability pensioners: prospective cohort studies of all 19-23 year olds in Sweden in 1995, 2000, and 2005, respectively

OBJECTIVE

Increasing rates of disability pension (DP) have been observed among young adults. We studied specific psychiatric DP diagnoses and subsequent risk of suicidal behaviour in a series of three cohorts of young adult in Sweden.

METHOD

In a nationwide register study, we included all young adults who in 1995, 2000, and 2005, respectively, were 19-23 years old and lived in Sweden (n≈500,000 per cohort). Rates of DP and specific psychiatric DP diagnoses were recorded in each cohort. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for suicidal behaviour during the following five years, with the corresponding age group as reference, were calculated by Cox proportional hazard regression, adjusted for demographic variables and previous own and parental suicidal behaviour.

RESULTS

The overall proportion with DP in this age group increased from 0.92% in 1995 to 2.29% in 2005, with particularly large increases in psychiatric diagnoses such as hyperkinetic disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, and depression/anxiety. The overall proportion of young disability pensioners attempting suicide during the five-year follow-up increased from 2.21% in the 1995 cohort to 3.81% in the 2005 cohort. Within most psychiatric DP diagnoses, the risk of attempted suicide did not change significantly over time, whereas suicide attempts increased in the reference group. Accordingly, the HRs for suicide attempt decreased in some psychiatric DP diagnoses. The highest adjusted HRs were observed for depression/anxiety (16.41; CI: 9.06 to 29.74) and schizophrenia (9.37; 6.13 to 14.31) in the 1995 cohort. The rate of suicide among young disability pensioners during follow-up ranged from 0.19% in 1995 to 0.37% in 2005, mainly occurring in individuals with psychiatric diagnoses.

CONCLUSION

Suicidal behaviour has become more prevalent among young disability pensioners, which co-occurred with an increased tendency to grant DP in psychiatric diagnoses with a known high risk of suicidal behaviour. Preventive measures are warranted.

Associations between childbirth, hospitalization and disability pension: a cohort study of female twins

Background

As the literature on long-term effects of childbirth on risk of morbidity or permanent work incapacity (DP) is limited, we aimed to study associations of childbirth with hospitalization and DP, adjusting for familial factors.

Methods

This cohort study included female twins, i.e. women with twin sister, born 1959–1990 in Sweden (n = 5 118). At least one in the twin pair had their first childbirth 1994–2009. Women were followed regarding all-cause and cause-specific (mental or musculoskeletal diagnoses) DP during year 2–5 after first delivery or equivalent. Associations between childbirth, hospitalization and DP were calculated as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Women who did not give birth had markedly higher number of DP days/year compared to those giving birth. Hospitalization after first childbirth was associated with a higher HR of DP. Those hospitalized at least once after their first childbirth had a three-fold DP risk (HR: 3.2; 95% CI 1.1–9.6), DP due to mental diagnoses (HR: 3.2; 1.2–8.8), and of DP due to musculoskeletal diagnoses (HR: 6.1; 1.6–22.9). Lower HRs in the discordant twin pair analyses indicated that familial factors may influence the studied associations.

Conclusions

Women who did not give birth had a much higher risk for DP than those who did. Among those who gave birth, the risk for DP was markedly higher among those with a previous hospitalization, and especially in women with repeated hospitalizations. The results indicate a health selection into giving birth as well as the importance of morbidity for DP.

Cross-national comparisons of sickness absence systems and statistics: towards common indicators

We aimed to identify common elements in work sickness absence (SA) in Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands. We estimated basic statistics on benefits eligibility, SA incidence and duration and distribution by major diagnostics. The three countries offer SA benefits for at least 12 months and wage replacement, differing in who and when the payer assumes responsibility; the national health systems provide health care with participation from occupational health services. Episodes per 1000 salaried workers and episode duration varied by country; their distribution by diagnostic was similar. Basic and useful SA indicators can be constructed to facilitate cross-country comparisons.

Reasons for and factors associated with issuing sickness certificates for longer periods than necessary: results from a nationwide survey of physicians

Background

Physicians’ work with sickness certifications is an understudied field. Physicians’ experience of sickness certifying for longer periods than necessary has been previous reported. However, the extent and frequency of such sickness certification is largely unknown. The aims of this study were: a) to explore the frequency of sickness certifying for longer periods than necessary among physicians working in different clinical settings; b) to examine main reasons for issuing sickness certificates for longer periods than necessary; and c) to examine factors associated with unnecessary issued sickness certificates.

Methods

In 2008, all physicians living and working in Sweden (a total of 36,898) were sent an invitation to participate in a questionnaire study concerning their sick-listing practices. A total of 22,349 (60.6%) returned the questionnaire. In the current study, physicians reporting handling sickness certification consultations at least weekly were included in the analyses, a total of 12,348.

Results

The proportion of physicians reporting issuing sickness certificates for longer periods than actually necessary varied greatly between different types of clinics, with the highest frequency among those working at: occupational medicine, orthopedic, primary health care, and psychiatry clinics; and lowest among those working in: eye, dermatology, ear/nose/throat, oncology, surgery, and infection clinics. Logistic analyses showed that sickness certifying for longer periods than necessary due to limitations in the health care system was particularly common among physicians working at occupational medicine, orthopedic, and primary health care clinics. Sickness certifying for longer periods than necessary due to patient-related factors was much more common among physicians working at psychiatric clinics. In addition to differences between clinics, frequency of sickness certificates issued for longer periods than necessary varied by age, physicians’ experiences of different situations, and perceived problems.

Conclusions

This study showed that physicians issued sickness certificates for longer periods than actually necessary quite frequently at some types of clinics. Differences between clinics were to a large extent associated with frequency of problems, lack of time, delicate interactions with patients, and need for more competence.

Problems experienced by gynecologists/obstetricians in sickness certification consultations

OBJECTIVE

To explore frequencies and experiences with problems in sickness certification consultations among gynecologists and obstetricians in two different years.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional surveys on two occasions; in 2004 and 2008.

SETTING

Gynecological, obstetric and maternal health care.

SAMPLE

Physicians working in gynecology, obstetrics or maternal health care in two Swedish counties from two samples: in 2004 (n = 315), and in 2008 (n = 327).

METHODS

Data regarding sickness certification consultations were obtained from comprehensive questionnaires that had been mailed to the physicians in two Swedish counties in 2004 and in 2008, respectively.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Frequencies and types of problems in sickness certification consultations, organizational support, and need to acquire more competence.

RESULTS

The majority experienced that patients requested to be on sick leave for a reason other than work incapacity due to disease or injury, at least a few times per year (85% in 2004 and 88% in 2008). The most problematic situation to handle was when the physician and the patient had different opinions about the need for sick leave (2004: 66% and 2008: 58%). The physicians expressed a need for more competence about the options and responsibilities of employers, social insurance officers and physicians in sickness certification cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Most gynecologists/obstetricians find sickness certification consultations problematic and especially when encountering patients requesting to be on sick leave for reasons other than disease. The physicians expressed a need for more competence in insurance medicine, especially about their own and other stakeholders' options and responsibilities.

High prevalence of sickness absence and disability pension among multiple sclerosis patients: a nationwide population-based study

INTRODUCTION

Although multiple sclerosis (MS) often implies substantial disability, there is little knowledge about sick leave and disability pension among MS patients.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence rates of sick leave and disability pension among MS patients and to explore how socio-demographics are associated with such rates.

METHODS

The register data of all people who lived in Sweden in 2005 and were 16-64 years old was used to identify 9721 MS patients and matched controls. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and effect modifications were evaluated with Wald X(2) tests.

RESULTS

In 2005, 61.7% of the MS patients were on partial or full disability pension compared to 14.2% among the controls. Of the others, 36.8% had ≥ 1 sick-leave spell for >14 days during that year. Socio-demographics were similarly associated with sick leave and disability pension among MS patients and controls, with the noteworthy exceptions that female gender and immigration status were less potent risk factors in the MS population (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In spite of widespread access to modern health care including disease-modifying drugs, the majority of MS patients of working ages were on a disability pension. Strategies enabling MS patients to retain their footing in the labour market are needed.

Diagnosis-specific disability pension predicts suicidal behaviour and mortality in young adults: a nationwide prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Increasing rates of disability pension (DP), particularly owing to mental diagnoses, have been observed among young adults in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. There is a lack of knowledge about the health prognosis in this group. The aim of this study was to investigate whether DP in young adulthood owing to specific mental diagnoses or somatic diagnoses predicts suicidal behaviour and all-cause mortality.

DESIGN

A nationwide prospective cohort study.

SETTING

A register study of all young adults who in 2005 were 19-23 years old and lived in Sweden. Registers held by the National Board of Health and Welfare, Statistics Sweden and the National Social Insurance Agency were used.

PARTICIPANTS

525 276 young adults. Those who in 2005 had DP with mental diagnoses (n=8070) or somatic diagnoses (n=3975) were compared to all the other young adults in the same age group (n=513 231).

OUTCOME MEASURES

HRs for suicide attempt, suicide and all-cause mortality in 2006-2010 were calculated by Cox proportionate hazard regression models, adjusted for sex, country of birth, parental education and parental and previous own suicidal behaviour.

RESULTS

The adjusted HR for suicide attempt was 3.32 (95% CI 2.98 to 3.69) among those on DP with mental diagnoses and 1.78 (95% CI 1.41 to 2.26) among those on DP with somatic diagnoses. For the specific mental diagnoses, the unadjusted HRs ranged between 2.42 (mental retardation) and 22.94 (personality disorders), while the adjusted HRs ranged between 2.03 (mental retardation) and 6.00 (bipolar disorder). There was an increased risk of mortality for young adults on DP in general, but only those with mental DP diagnoses had a significantly elevated HR of completed suicide with an adjusted HR of 3.92 (95% CI 2.83 to 5.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Young adults on DP are at increased risk of suicidal behaviour and preterm death, which emphasises the need for improved treatment and follow-up.

Psychiatrists' work with sickness certification: frequency, experiences and severity of the certification tasks in a national survey in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Many psychiatrists are involved in sickness certification of their patients; however, there is very limited knowledge about this aspect of their work. The objective of this study was to explore frequencies of problematic issues in the sickness certification tasks and experiences of severity regarding these problematic issues among psychiatrists.

METHODS

A cross-sectional nationwide questionnaire study to all physicians in Sweden. The 579 specialists in psychiatry who answered the questionnaire, were under 65 years of age, worked mainly in psychiatric care, and had consultations involving sickness certification at least once a week were included.

RESULTS

The frequency of problematic sickness certification consultations a few times per year or more often was considered by 87.3% of the psychiatrists; 11.7% handle such cases at least once a week. A majority (60.9%) reported 'not having enough time with the patient' at least once a week. The psychiatrists had access to several categories of professionals in their daily work. More than one third certified unnecessarily long sick-leave periods at least once a month due to waiting times for Social Insurance Office investigations or for treatments or investigations within health care.

CONCLUSION

The majority found it problematic to assess the level and duration of work incapacity, but also other types of problems like unnecessarily long sick-leave periods due to different types of waiting times. The findings have implications for different kinds of organisational and managerial support and training in sickness certification issues, like guidance to assess the level and duration of work incapacity.

General practitioners' experiences with sickness certification: a comparison of survey data from Sweden and Norway

Background

In most countries with sickness insurance systems, general practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the sickness-absence process. Previous studies have indicated that GPs experience several tasks and situations related to sickness certification consultations as problematic. The fact that the organization of primary health care and social insurance systems differ between countries may influence both GPs' experiences and certification. The aim of the present study was to gain more knowledge of GPs' experiences of sickness certification, by comparing data from Sweden and Norway, regarding frequencies and aspects of sickness certification found to be problematic.

Methods

Statistical analyses of cross-sectional survey data of sickness certification by GPs in Sweden and Norway. In Sweden, all GPs were included, with 3949 (60.6%) responding. In Norway, a representative sample of GPs was included, with 221 (66.5%) responding.

Results

Most GPs reported having consultations involving sickness certification at least once a week; 95% of the GPs in Sweden and 99% of the GPs in Norway. A majority found such tasks problematic; 60% of the GPs in Sweden and 53% in Norway. In a logistic regression, having a higher frequency of sickness certification consultations was associated with a higher risk of experiencing them as problematic, in both countries. A higher rate of GPs in Sweden than in Norway reported meeting patients wanting a sickness certification without a medical reason. GPs in Sweden found it more problematic to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sick leave with patients and to issue a prolongation of a sick-leave period initiated by another physician. GPs in Norway more often worried that patients would go to another physician if they did not issue a certificate, and a higher proportion of Norwegian GPs found it problematic to handle situations where they and their patient disagreed on the need for sick leave.

Conclusions

The study confirms that many GPs experience sickness absence consultations as problematic. However, there were differences between the two countries in GPs' experiences, which may be linked to differences in social security regulations and the organization of GP services. Possible causes and consequences of national differences should be addressed in future studies.