Kausto, J;
Pentti, J;
Oksanen, T;
Virta, LJ;
Virtanen, M;
Kivimäki, M;
Vahtera, J;
(2017)
Length of sickness absence and sustained return-to-work in mental disorders and musculoskeletal diseases: a cohort study of public sector employees.
Scandinivian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
, 43
(4)
pp. 358-366.
10.5271/sjweh.3643.
Preview |
Text
Kivimaki_358_366_kausto.pdf - Published Version Download (265kB) | Preview |
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the length of sickness absence and sustained return to work (SRTW) and the predictors of SRTW in depression, anxiety disorders, intervertebral disc disorders, and back pain in a population-based cohort of employees in the Finnish public sector. METHODS: We linked data from employers' registers and four national population registers. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with a cluster option was applied. SRTW was defined as the end of the sickness benefit period not followed by a recurrent sickness benefit period in 30 days. RESULTS: For depression, the median time to SRTW was 46 and 38 days among men and women, respectively. For anxiety disorders, the figures were 24 and 22 days, for intervertebral disc disorders, 42 and 41 days, and, for back pain, 21 and 22 days among men and women respectively. Higher age and the persistence of the health problem predicted longer time to SRTW throughout the diagnostic categories. Comorbid conditions predicted longer time to SRTW in depression and back pain among women. CONCLUSIONS: This large cohort study adds scientific evidence on the length of sickness absence and SRTW in four important diagnostic categories among public sector employees in Finland. Further research taking into account, eg, features of the work environment is suggested. Recommendations on the length of sickness absence at this point should be based on expert opinion and supplemented with research findings.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Length of sickness absence and sustained return-to-work in mental disorders and musculoskeletal diseases: a cohort study of public sector employees |
| Location: | Finland |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.5271/sjweh.3643 |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3643 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Cohort study; evidence-based practice; Finland; Finland; mental disorder; musculoskeletal disease; population register; practice guideline; public sector; public sector employee; return-to-work; RTW; sick leave; sickness absence; sickness absence; successful return to work; sustained return-to-work |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Epidemiology and Public Health |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1555281 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
