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BMC Medical Research Methodology

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

The predictive value of mental health for long-term sickness absence: the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) compared

Authors: Sannie Vester Thorsen, Reiner Rugulies, Pernille U Hjarsbech, Jakob Bue Bjorner

Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Questionnaires are valuable for population surveys of mental health. Different survey instruments may however give different results. The present study compares two mental health instruments, the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5), in regard to their prediction of long-term sickness absence.

Method

Questionnaire data was collected from N = 4153 Danish employees. The questionnaire included the MDI and the MHI-5. The information of long-term sickness absence was obtained from a register. We used Cox regression to calculate covariance adjusted hazard ratios for long-term sickness absence for both measures.

Results

Both the MDI and the MHI-5 had a highly significant prediction of long-term sickness absence. A one standard deviation change in score was associated with an increased risk of long-term sickness absence of 27% for the MDI and 37% for the MHI-5. When both measures were included in the same analysis, the MHI-5 performed best.

Conclusion

In general population surveys, the MHI-5 is a better predictor of long-term sickness absence than the MDI.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/13/115/prepub

Title: The predictive value of mental health for long-term sickness absence: the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) compared
Authors: Sannie Vester Thorsen
Reiner Rugulies
Pernille U Hjarsbech
Jakob Bue Bjorner
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2288
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-13-115

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The predictive value of mental health for long-term sickness absence: the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) compared

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

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