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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 9/2009

01-10-2009 | Original Article

Predicting long-term sickness absence and early retirement pension from self-reported work ability

Author: Lea Sell

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 9/2009

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between self-reported work ability and long-term term of sickness absence or early retirement from the labour market.

Methods

Data on work ability were retrieved from a representative cohort study of Danish wage earners and linked with a register of social payment transfers. In all, 4.743 individuals were followed from 2001 to 2005. Cox regression was used for the analyses.

Results

A one point decrease in perceived work ability, on a 10 point scale, was associated with an increased risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA) of 15.1% (95% CI 12–19%, P < 0.0001) and an increased risk of early retirement from the labour market of 33% (95% CI 20–48%, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Reports of reduced work ability were significantly associated with both an increased risk of onset of LTSA and early retirement from the labour market, after adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle variables.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Predicting long-term sickness absence and early retirement pension from self-reported work ability
Author
Lea Sell
Publication date
01-10-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 9/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0417-6

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