Occurrence Of Sickness Absence Research Articles

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

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). 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. 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. 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.

Sickness absence due to gastroesophageal reflux diagnoses: a nationwide Swedish population-based study

Objective. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a major public health problem in the Western world. No previous population-based nationwide study has, however, examined the occurrence of sickness absence due to GERD diagnoses, that is, the aim of this study. Material and methods. Nationwide population-based study based on Swedish registers including all 4,764,843 individuals registered as living in Sweden in 31 December 2004 and 31 December 2005, aged 20–64 years, not on disability or old age pension. Reimbursed sickness absence due to reflux diagnoses (ICD-10), that is, GERD (K21), esophagitis (K20), and heartburn (R12), was studied separately and combined. In analyses stratified by sociodemographic factors, inpatient/specialized outpatient care, antireflux surgery, and prescribed reflux medications those sickness absent in 2005 due to reflux diagnoses were compared to those sickness absent due to non-reflux diagnoses and to those with no sickness benefits 2005. Results. In total, 627 individuals had at least one prevalent sick-leave spell due to reflux diagnoses in 2005, of which GERD was the most common diagnosis. Of these, almost half (45%) was absent for ≥ 28 reimbursed sick-leave days due to reflux diagnoses. The proportions of low socioeconomic status (SES), inpatient and outpatient care due to tumors, mental disorders, circulatory disorders, GERD, antireflux surgery, and reflux medications were higher among those sickness absent due to reflux diagnoses compared to those with no sickness benefits. Conclusions.In this nationwide population-based study a high proportion of those sickness absent due to reflux diagnoses was on long-term sick leave, a finding that warrants attention.

Occupational safety and health impact assessment (OSHIA): how to estimate the effects of changes in occupational exposure on health outcomes

ObjectivesPolicy makers have an urgent need for quantitative data to support their decision-making process. This study examines how policy-induced changes in occupational exposure on health could be modelled, using the...