Role of social benefits for future long-term sickness absence, disability pension and unemployment among individuals on sickness absence due to mental diagnoses: a competing risk approach

Purpose To investigate associations between social benefits and disability pension (DP), long-term sickness absence (LTSA, ≥ 90 days), or unemployment among Swedish twins with sickness absence (SA) due to mental diagnoses. Methods This population-based prospective twin study included register data on first incident SA spell (< 90 days) due to mental diagnoses (ICD 10 codes F00-F99) during the follow-up 2005–2016. SA < 90 days due to other diagnoses than mental diagnoses or any other social insurance benefit was identified for the preceding year of the first incident SA spell due to mental diagnoses (coded yes/no). Comparing those with any previous social benefits vs without, cumulative incidence curve to compare time to an event, and Cox proportional hazards models for cause-specific hazard ratios (HR, 95% confidence intervals, CI) treating first incident DP, LTSA and unemployment as competing risks were modeled. Results During follow-up, 21 DP, 1619 LTSA, and 808 unemployment events took place. Compared to those without, those with at least one benefit had a higher risk for DP (HR 5.03; 95%CI 1.80, 14.01), LTSA (1.67; 1.50, 1.84) and unemployment (1.24; 1.03, 1.50). The cumulative incidence for DP was very low, < 1%, for LTSA 80% with any previous social benefits vs. 60% without, and for unemployment ≤ 5%. Conclusion Social benefits received during the preceding year of SA due to mental diagnoses (< 90 days) predict DP, LTSA, and unemployment. Hence, previous social benefits may provide means for early identification of persons at risk for exit from labor market.

Ethnic Composition of Couples and Mutual Health Benefit Receipt: Register-Based Evidence from Finland

The literature on health dependencies among partners typically ignores diversity of partnership characteristics. One salient example is the ethnic composition. We extend prior work on partnerships and health by investigating how married and cohabiting partners mutually influence each other’s receipt of health-related benefits, focusing on how such correlations vary with the couple’s ethnic composition. We study partners’ mutual receipt of sickness allowance and disability pension in ethnically endogamous and exogamous couples in Finland. The population consists of native individuals in similar socioeconomic positions but belonging to two different ethnic groups—Finnish and Swedish speakers—who differ in health and family life. Using data from population registers, we estimate discrete-time hazard models for first-time benefit receipt, as related to partner’s benefit receipt, among midlife couples. We found evidence of mutual receipt of health benefits in both endogamous and exogamous couples, the correlation being strongest for disability pension. Partner correlation in disability pension receipt is slightly stronger in endogamous Swedish than in endogamous Finnish couples, while women in exogamous couples are slightly less sensitive to men’s receipt than vice versa. The results show that mutual health may be heterogeneous across couples that differ in ethnic composition.

Associations between Multimorbidity Patterns and Subsequent Labor Market Marginalization among Refugees and Swedish-Born Young Adults—A Nationwide Registered-Based Cohort Study

Background: Young refugees are at increased risk of labor market marginalization (LMM). We sought to examine whether the association of multimorbidity patterns and LMM differs in refugee youth compared to Swedish-born youth and identify the diagnostic groups driving this association. Methodology: We analyzed 249,245 individuals between 20–25 years, on 31 December 2011, from a combined Swedish registry. Refugees were matched 1:5 to Swedish-born youth. A multimorbidity score was computed from a network of disease co-occurrences in 2009–2011. LMM was defined as disability pension (DP) or >180 days of unemployment during 2012–2016. Relative risks (RR) of LMM were calculated for 114 diagnostic groups (2009–2011). The odds of LMM as a function of multimorbidity score were estimated using logistic regression. Results: 2841 (1.1%) individuals received DP and 16,323 (6.5%) experienced >180 annual days of unemployment during follow-up. Refugee youth had a marginally higher risk of DP (OR (95% CI): 1.59 (1.52, 1.67)) depending on their multimorbidity score compared to Swedish-born youth (OR (95% CI): 1.51 (1.48, 1.54)); no differences were found for unemployment (OR (95% CI): 1.15 (1.12, 1.17), 1.12 (1.10, 1.14), respectively). Diabetes mellitus and influenza/pneumonia elevated RR of DP in refugees (RRs (95% CI) 2.4 (1.02, 5.6) and 1.75 (0.88, 3.45), respectively); most diagnostic groups were associated with a higher risk for unemployment in refugees. Conclusion: Multimorbidity related similarly to LMM in refugees and Swedish-born youth, but different diagnoses drove these associations. Targeted prevention, screening, and early intervention strategies towards specific diagnoses may effectively reduce LMM in young adult refugees.

Diagnosis, rehabilitation and development of disability 2000-2019 in Iceland

INTRODUCTION: The disability assessment standard based on medically recognized illnesses or disabilities was introduced in Iceland 1999. The aim of this study is to examine the development of Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun ríkisins, TR) rulings regarding rehabilitation and disability pensions over a twenty-year period, since its introduction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All registered diagnoses in the medical certificates of TR due to the approved rehabilitation or disability pension were examined in the period 2000-2019. The gender distribution and age distribution of these applicants and the number development during the period are described. At the same time, costs as a percentage of government expenditure are examined. RESULTS: The number of younger rehabilitation pensioners has increased rapidly in recent years, at the same time as the relative increase in disability pensioners has slowed slightly. Mental and musculoskeletal disorders are by far the most common types of illness leading to disability. Mental illnesses differ in terms of age distribution and increase over time. The proportion of individuals aged 18-66 with a 75% disability assessment has increased by a third during the period, from about 6% to 8%. The gender distribution of disability pensioners remains similar, with women accounting for 62% in total. Women are much more likely to receive disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders than men and men are somewhat more likely to suffer from mental illness. The relative development of central government expenditure on total payments to rehabilitation and pensioners continues to grow as a proportion of central government expenditure. CONCLUSION: The number of rehabilitation pensioners has increased significantly since 2018, at the same time as the number of disability pensioners has decreased and there are indications that rehabilitation results in a lower number of new disability pensioners. Mental and musculoskeletal disorders are by far the most common types of illness leading to disability. A slightly lower proportion of disabled people have psychiatric diagnosis as a first diagnosis in the period 2000-2019 compared to those with a valid disability assessment in 2005, but the proportion of musculoskeletal disorders is slightly higher. Nevertheless, mental illnesses differ in age distribution and increase over time.

Associations of sickness absence and disability pension due to mental and somatic diagnoses when aged 60–64 with paid work after the standard retirement age; a prospective population-based cohort study in Sweden

Background The proportion of people working beyond age 65 is increasing. We aimed to explore whether sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) due to mental, somatic, or both diagnoses when aged 60–64 were associated with being in paid work when aged 66–71. Methods This prospective population-based cohort study included all 98,551 individuals who in 2010 turned 65 years, lived in Sweden, and were in paid work at some point when aged 60–64. Data from three nationwide registers were used with 2010 as baseline, with SA or/and DP as the exposure variables (2005–2009) and paid work as the outcome variable (2011–2016). Logistic regression was conducted to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between exposures and outcome, controlling for sociodemographic factors. The analyses were also stratified by sex. Results Nearly half were in paid work during follow-up. Those with SA due to mental diagnoses had lower likelihood of being in paid work among both sexes (women OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69–0.84; men 0.74; 0.65–0.84), while this association was smaller for SA due to somatic diagnoses (women 0.87; 0.84–0.91; men 0.92; 0.89–0.96). SA due to both mental and somatic diagnoses was associated with a lower likelihood of paid work for men (0.77; 0.65–0.91), but not women (0.98; 0.88–1.09). Regardless of diagnosis group and sex, DP had the strongest association with not being in paid work (women mental DP 0.39; 0.34–0.45; women somatic DP 0.38; 0.35–0.41; women mental and somatic DP 0.28; 0.15–0.56; men mental DP 0.36; 0.29–0.43; men somatic DP 0.35; 0.32–0.38; men mental and somatic DP 0.22; 0.10–0.51). Combined SA and/or DP demonstrated ORs in-between the diagnosis groups of SA and DP alone (e.g., mental SA and/or DP women and men combined 0.61; 0.57–0.65). Conclusions SA and DP were negatively associated with being in paid work after the standard retirement age of 65. The association was especially strong for DP, irrespective of diagnosis group. Moreover, compared to somatic diagnoses, SA due to mental diagnoses had a stronger association with not being in paid work. More knowledge is needed on how mental SA impedes extending working life.

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.

Factors associated with returning to work after long term absence due to mental disorders

If there is a chance for a person’s ability to work to be restored through treatment or rehabilitation, a temporary disability pension may be granted in Finland. We examined the personal, socio-economic and healthcare-related factors associated with return to work (RTW) after the receipt of temporary disability pension. The study material contains comprehensive register data of individuals who were granted a temporary disability pension due to a mental disorder (ICD10: F10–F69, F80–F99) for the first time between 2010 and 2012 (N = 8615). We applied clustering analysis in order to reveal different patterns of returning to work after receipt of temporary disability pension and utilized multinominal regression analysis to examine gender-specific determinants for RTW and partial RTW in a controlled setting. Being a lower-grade employee remarkably promoted RTW for women (OR 7.85 95% CI 5.35–11.51), as did being a manual worker for men (OR 5.47 95% CI 3.48–8.78). Moreover, both active male (OR 3.51 95% CI 2.19–5.61) and female manual workers (OR 2.44 95% CI 1.66–3.59) had a higher probability of partial RTW compared to people who were initially unemployed. In addition, psychotherapy and vocational rehabilitation were associated with an increased probability of RTW. After 3 years from the initial temporary pensioning, almost two-thirds of the study population (69% of men and 64% of women) still had a temporary or by then a permanent disability pension due to a mental disorder. This and further research could improve the ability to recognize those subjects more likely to return to work than others.

Labor Market Attachment in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: A Nationwide Matched Cohort Study

BACKGROUND Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are characterized by a substantial symptom burden, risk of debilitating complications (e.g., thrombosis), and increased comorbidity. Recently, three comprehensive questionnaire studies (Mesa 2016, Harrison 2017, Jingbo 2018) have reported a high impact of MPNs on patients' ability to work. However, no registry-based studies have assessed labor market attachment (LMA) of MPN patients and matched nonMPN comparisons. AIM To assess the pre- and post-diagnostic LMA of MPN patients and matched nonMPN comparisons. METHODS We conducted a descriptive, registry-based nationwide cohort study, using data from the Danish National Chronic Myeloid Neoplasia Registry including all Danish MPN patients diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2016. Population-based cohorts of nonMPN comparisons were constructed by 1:10 matching on age, sex, level of education, and region of residence. Data on LMA were retrieved from the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalization, which holds information on all public transfer payments in Denmark. Data were linked using the unique civil registration number, which identifies all Danish citizens. The LMA endpoints were defined for each individual as working (not receiving any type of transfer payment), unemployed, receiving transfer payment for either sick leave, disability pension, age pension, or other health-related benefits (e.g., wage-subsidized employment). We assessed LMA weekly for each individual from two years before diagnosis until death, emigration, or two years after the diagnosis. For each cohort, we presented LMA as proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), as well as the proportion of individuals who died during follow-up. RESULTS The study included 3,342 MPN patients (1,140 essential thrombocythemia [ET]; 1,109 polycythemia vera [PV]; 533 myelofibrosis [MF]; and 560 unspecified MPN [MPN-U]) and 32,737 nonMPN comparisons (11,181 nonET; 10,873 nonPV; 5,217 nonPMF; and 5,466 nonMPN-U). The median age at time of diagnosis was: ET 67 years (interquartile range [IQR], 55-76); PV, 69 years (IQR, 61-77); PMF, 73 years (IQR, 66-79); and MPN-U, 72 years (IQR, 63-80). At time of MPN diagnosis, the majority of MPN patients and nonMPN comparisons received age pension (range: ET, 52.1% [95% CI, 49.2-55.0] to nonMF, 70.3% [95% CI, 69.1-71.6]). The proportions working were: ET, 35.1% (95% CI, 32.3-37.9) vs. nonET, 37.3% (95% CI, 36.5-38.2); PV, 22.6% (95% CI, 20.2-25.1) vs. nonPV, 30.8% (95% CI, 29.9-31.7); MF, 23.8% (95% CI, 20.2-27.4) vs. nonMF, 23.6% (95% CI, 22.5-24.8); and MPN-U, 22.1% (95% CI,18.7- 25.6) vs. nonMPN-U, 27.8% (95% CI, 26.6-29.0). Across MPN subtypes, a larger proportion of patients than comparisons were on sick leave: ET, 3.5% (95% CI, 2.4-4.6) vs. nonET, 1.3% (95% CI, 1.1-1.5); PV, 5.5% (95% CI, 4.2-6.8) vs. nonPV, 0.9% (95% CI, 0.7-1.1); MF (not applicable due to small numbers) vs. nonMF, 0.6% (95% CI, 0.4-0.8); and MPN-U, 3.0% (95% CI, 1.6- 4.5) vs. nonMPN-U, 1.0% (95% CI, 0.7-1.3). Regarding disability pension, the proportions ranged from 4.1% (95% CI, 2.4-5.8) to 5.0% (95% CI, 3.7-6.3) among patients and from 3.1% (95% CI, 2.6-3.6) to 4.7% (95% CI, 4.3-5.1) among comparisons. For both MPN patients and nonMPN comparisons, few were unemployed (≤3.3%) or received other health-related benefits (≤1.6%). Two years preceding diagnosis, the proportion of PV and MPN-U patients working was slightly lower than the matched comparisons: PV, 31.0% (95% CI, 28.4-33.8) vs. nonPV, 34.3% (95% CI, 33.5-35.2) and MPN-U, 28.2% (95% CI, 24.6-32.1) vs. nonMPN-U, 32.0% (95% CI, 30.7-33.2), while this difference was not observed between ET and MF patients and their respective comparisons. From two years before to two years after diagnosis, we observed slightly larger reductions in the proportion working among MPN patients than among comparisons. Among MPN patients, the proportion on sick leave including other health-related benefits, increased during the study period, while it remained unchanged among comparisons. The proportion of patients and comparisons on disability pension remained stable. CONCLUSION Overall, our findings showed that Danish patients with ET, PV, MF, and MPN-U had slightly impaired LMA already two years before diagnosis and up to two years after diagnosis. Thus, fewer patients were working and more patients transferred to sick leave compared with matched individuals without MPN. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Stenling: Novartis: Current Employment. Paulsson: Novartis: Current Employment. Frederiksen: Novartis: Research Funding; Alexion: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Hasselbalch: Novartis, AOP Orphan: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board.

Trajectories of sickness absence and disability pension days among people with multiple sclerosis by type of occupation

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) can impact working life, sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP). Different types of occupations involve different demands, which may be associated with trajectories of SA/DP among people with MS (PwMS). Objectives: To explore, among PwMS and references, if SA/DP differ according to type of occupation. Furthermore, to examine how trajectories of SA/DP days are associated with type of occupation among PwMS. Methods: A longitudinal nationwide Swedish register-based cohort study was conducted, including 6100 individuals with prevalent MS and 38,641 matched references from the population. Trajectories of SA/DP were identified with group-based trajectory modelling. Multinomial logistic regressions were estimated for associations between identified trajectories and occupations. Results: Increase of SA/DP over time was observed in all occupational groups, in both PwMS and references, with higher levels of SA/DP among PwMS. The lowest levels of SA/DP were observed among managers. Three trajectory groups of SA/DP were identified: Persistently Low (55.2%), Moderate Increasing (31.9%) and High Increasing (12.8%). Managers and those working in Science & Technology, and Economics, Social & Cultural were more likely to belong to the Persistently Low group. Conclusion: Results suggest that type of occupation plays a role in the level and course of SA/DP.

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and Patterns of Long-term Sick Leave and Disability Pension: a 24-year Nationwide Matched Cohort Study

Background: Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a skin disorder caused by a defect in the liver enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and is associated with hepatitis C virus infection, high alcohol intake, smoking and iron overload. Data on the long-term morbidity of PCT is lacking. Methods: We conducted a nationwide matched cohort study over a 24-year period. The study sample included 534 persons aged 18-67 years with a biochemically confirmed PCT diagnosis and a sample of 21,360 persons randomly selected from the working age population, matched on age, sex and educational attainment. We investigated if persons with sporadic and familial PCT had an increased risk of long-term sick leave (LTSL) or disability pension. We further assessed risk before (pre-PCT), during (during-PCT) and after (post-PCT) the typical period of first onset to diagnosis, treatment and remission. Results: Overall, persons with PCT had a 40% increased risk (hazard ratio [HR]=1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.3, 1.5) of LTSL and a 50% increased risk (HR=1.5, CI=1.3, 1.7) of disability pension. Risk of disability pension was increased pre-PCT (HR=1.3, CI: 1.3 (1.0, 1.6), during-PCT (HR: 1.5, CI: 1.0, 2.2) and post-PCT (HR=2.0, CI: 1.5, 2.6). For LTSL, risk was increased pre-PCT (HR=1.3, CI: 1.1, 1.4) and during-PCT (HR=1.5, CI: 1.1, 2.1), but not post-PCT. Risk was greatest in persons with sporadic than familial PCT. Diagnostic reasons for disability pension that were increased compared to matched controls were PCT or skin disease in 11 of 199 cases (PCT: n=7, incident rate ratios [IRR]=49.2, CI=38.8, 62.4; diseases of the skin & subcutaneous tissue, n=4, IRR=4.2, CI=1.6, 11.0). The vast majority of diagnostic reasons for accessing disability pension were related to comorbidities, PCT susceptibility factors and more general health issues such as: malignant neoplasms (n=12, IRR=2.4, CI=1.4, 4.2), substance and alcohol dependence (n=7, IRR=5.0, CI=2.5, 10.1), neurotic and mood – disorders (n=21, IRR=1.7, CI=1.1, 2.6), and diseases of the musculoskeletal system & connective tissue (n=71, IRR=2.5, CI=1.9, 3.2).Conclusions: Persons with PCT have an increased risk of LTSL and disability pension indicating significant morbidity in this patient group. Appropriate long-term follow-up and monitoring for relapses and co-morbid diseases are recommended.