Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Predictors of sickness absence in college and university educated self-employed: a historic register study

Authors: Liesbeth EC Wijnvoord, Jac JL Van der Klink, Michiel R De Boer, Sandra Brouwer

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Despite a large proportion of the workforce being self-employed, few studies have been conducted on risk factors for sickness absence in this population. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for future sickness absence in a population of college and university educated self-employed.

Methods

In a historic register study based on insurance company files risk factors were identified by means of logistic regression analysis. Data collected at application for private disability insurance from 634 applicants were related to subsequent sickness absence periods of 30 days or more during a follow-up period of 7.95 years. Variables studied were self-reported lifestyle variables, variables concerning medical history and present health conditions and variables derived from the general medical examination including blood tests and urinary analysis.

Results

Results from analysis of data from 634 applicants for private disability insurance show that previous periods of sickness absence (OR 2.07), female gender (OR 2.04), health complaints listed in the health declaration (OR 1.88), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (OR 4.05) and the nature of the profession were related to a higher risk of sickness absence.

Conclusions

Sickness absence was found to be related to demographic variables (gender, profession), medical variables (health complaints and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and to variables with both a medical and a behavioural component (previous sickness absence).
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
2.
3.
Stephan U, Roesler U: Health of entrepreneurs versus employees in a national representative sample. J Occup Organ Psychol. 2010, 83: 717-738. 10.1348/096317909X472067.CrossRef
4.
Pfeifer C: Cyclical absenteeism among private sector, public sector and self-employed workers. Health Econ. 2013, 22: 366-370. 10.1002/hec.2808.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Millán JM, Hessels J, Thurik R, Aguado R: Determinants of job satisfaction: a European comparison of self-employed and paid employees. Small Bus Econ. 2013, 40: 651-670. 10.1007/s11187-011-9380-1.CrossRef
6.
Bradley DE, Roberts JA: Self‒employment and job satisfaction: investigating the role of self‒efficacy, depression, and seniority. J Small Bus Manage. 2003, 42: 37-58.CrossRef
7.
Gorgievski MJ, Bakker AB, Schaufeli WB: Work engagement and workaholism: Comparing the self-employed and salaried employees. J Posit Psychol. 2010, 5: 83-96. 10.1080/17439760903509606.CrossRef
8.
Oren L: Job stress and coping: self‒employed versus organizationally employed professionals. Stress Health. 2011, 28: 163-170.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Dawson C, Henley A, Latreille PL: Why do individuals choose self-employment?. 2009, IZA Discussion Papers: Germany
10.
Kautonen T, Down S, Welter F, Vainio P, Palmroos J, Althoff K, Kolb S: “Involuntary self-employment” as a public policy issue: a cross-country European review. IJEBR. 2010, 16: 112-129.
11.
Bakker RH, Bronsema J, Brouwer S, Dijkstra GJ, Haselager JJ, Groothoff JW: Disability insurance: can underwriting criteria for the self-employed be based on predictors used for disability amongst employees?. J Insur Med. 2006, 38: 259-270.PubMed
12.
Hamilton WT, Hall GH: Risk factors for ill health insurance claims. J Insur Med. 2003, 35: 17-25.PubMed
13.
Van Doorn JW: Low back disability among self-employed dentists, veterinarians, physicians and physical therapists in The Netherlands. A retrospective study over a 13-year period (N = 1,119) and an early intervention program with 1-year follow-up (N = 134). Acta Orthop Scand. 1995, 263: 1-64.
14.
Pekelharing J, Hooijkaas H, Punt J, Smeets L, Souverijn J: Handboek medische laboratoriumdiagnostiek (Handbook Medical Laboratory Diagnosis, in Dutch). 2009, Houten: Prelum Uitgevers
15.
Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap (Dutch Institute of General Practice): Multidisciplinaire richtlijn Cardiovasculair risicomanagement (multidisciplinary guideline cardiovascular risk management, in Dutch). 2011, Revised
16.
World Health Organization (WHO): Obesity and Overweight, Fact Sheet No 311. 2011, Geneva: WHO
17.
World Health Organization (WHO): Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation. 2008, Geneva: WHO
18.
Walma E, Thomas S, Prins A, Grundmeijer H, Van der Laan J, Wiersma T: NHG-Standaard Hypertensie (General Practice Guideline Hypertension, in Dutch). Huisarts Wetensch. 2003, 46: 435-449.
19.
Van Buuren S: Multiple imputation of discrete and continuous data by fully conditional specification. Stat Methods Med Res. 2007, 16: 219-242. 10.1177/0962280206074463.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Karlsson NE, Carstensen JM, Gjesdal S, Alexanderson KA: Risk factors for disability pension in a population-based cohort of men and women on long-term sick leave in Sweden. Eur J Public Health. 2008, 18: 224-231.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Laaksonen M, Piha K, Martikainen P, Rahkonen O, Lahelma E: Health-related behaviours and sickness absence from work. Occup Environ Med. 2009, 66: 840-10.1136/oem.2008.039248.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Mastekaasa A, Dale-Olsen H: Do women or men have the less healthy jobs? An analysis of gender differences in sickness absence. Eur Sociol Rev. 2000, 16: 267-286. 10.1093/esr/16.3.267.CrossRef
23.
Claussen B, Dalgard OS: Disability pensioning: The gender divide can be explained by occupation, income, mental distress and health. Scand J Public Health. 2009, 37: 590-597. 10.1177/1403494809105795.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Laaksonen M, Mastekaasa A, Martikainen P, Rahkonen O, Piha K, Lahelma E: Gender differences in sickness absence–the contribution of occupation and workplace. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2010, 36: 394-403. 10.5271/sjweh.2909.CrossRefPubMed
25.
Labriola M, Holte KA, Christensen KB, Feveile H, Alexanderson K, Lund T: The attribution of work environment in explaining gender differences in long-term sickness absence: results from the prospective DREAM study. Occup Environ Med. 2011, 68: 703-705. 10.1136/oem.2010.060632.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Roelen CA, Koopmans PC, Anema JR, van der Beek AJ: Recurrence of medically certified sickness absence according to diagnosis: a sickness absence register study. J Occup Rehabil. 2010, 20: 113-121. 10.1007/s10926-009-9226-8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
27.
Reis RJ, Utzet M, La Rocca PF, Nedel FB, Martin M, Navarro A: Previous sick leaves as predictor of subsequent ones. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2011, 84: 491-499. 10.1007/s00420-011-0620-0.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Dekkers-Sanchez PM, Hoving JL, Sluiter JK, Frings-Dresen MHW: Factors associated with long-term sick leave in sick-listed employees: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med. 2008, 65: 153-157. 10.1136/oem.2007.034983.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Vahtera J, Westerlund H, Ferrie JE, Head J, Melchior M, Singh-Manoux A, Zins M, Goldberg M, Alexanderson K, Kivimaki M: All-cause and diagnosis-specific sickness absence as a predictor of sustained suboptimal health: a 14-year follow-up in the GAZEL cohort. J Epidemiol Commun H. 2010, 64: 311-10.1136/jech.2008.083923.CrossRef
30.
Roelen C, Koopmans P, Schreuder J, Anema J, van der Beek A: The history of registered sickness absence predicts future sickness absence. Occup Med (Lond). 2011, 61: 96-101. 10.1093/occmed/kqq181.CrossRef
31.
Poole CJ: Can sickness absence be predicted at the pre-placement health assessment?. Occup Med (Lond). 1999, 49: 337-339. 10.1093/occmed/49.5.337.CrossRef
32.
Ryan S: The predictive capacity of declared musculoskeletal disorder at pre-employment screening. Occup Med (Lond). 2010, 60: 354-10.1093/occmed/kqp195.CrossRef
33.
Piha K, Laaksonen M, Martikainen P, Rahkonen O, Lahelma E: Interrelationships between education, occupational class, income and sickness absence. Eur J Public Health. 2010, 20: 276-280. 10.1093/eurpub/ckp162.CrossRefPubMed
34.
North F, Syme SL, Feeney A, Head J, Shipley MJ, Marmot MG: Explaining socioeconomic differences in sickness absence: the Whitehall II Study. BMJ. 1993, 306: 361-366. 10.1136/bmj.306.6874.361.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
35.
Labriola M, Lund T, Burr H: Prospective study of physical and psychosocial risk factors for sickness absence. Occup Med (Lond). 2006, 56: 469-474. 10.1093/occmed/kql058.CrossRef
36.
Lund T, Labriola M, Christensen KB, Bultmann U, Villadsen E, Burr H: Psychosocial work environment exposures as risk factors for long-term sickness absence among Danish employees: results from DWECS/DREAM. J Occup Environ Med. 2005, 47: 1141-1147. 10.1097/01.jom.0000174301.80318.f2.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Christensen KB, Lund T, Labriola M, Bültmann U, Villadsen E: The impact of health behaviour on long term sickness absence: results from DWECS/DREAM. Ind Health. 2007, 45: 348-351. 10.2486/indhealth.45.348.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Robroek SJW, van den Berg TIJ, Plat JF, Burdorf A: The role of obesity and lifestyle behaviours in a productive workforce. Occup Environ Med. 2011, 68: 134-139. 10.1136/oem.2010.055962.CrossRefPubMed
39.
Laaksonen M, Piha K, Sarlio-Lähteenkorva S: Relative weight and sickness absence. Obesity. 2007, 15: 465-472. 10.1038/oby.2007.570.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Ferrie JE, Head J, Shipley MJ, Vahtera J, Marmot MG, Kivimäki M: BMI, obesity, and sickness absence in the Whitehall II study. Obesity. 2007, 15: 1554-1564. 10.1038/oby.2007.184.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Metadata
Title
Predictors of sickness absence in college and university educated self-employed: a historic register study
Authors
Liesbeth EC Wijnvoord
Jac JL Van der Klink
Michiel R De Boer
Sandra Brouwer
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-420

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

BMC Public Health 1/2014 Go to the issue

Research article

“Throwing a rock at their armored tank”: civilian authority and military tobacco control

Study protocol

“Together at school” - a school-based intervention program to promote socio-emotional skills and mental health in children: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

Research article

Perceptions of neighbourhood quality, social and civic participation and the self rated health of British adults with intellectual disability: cross sectional study

Research article

Differences in beliefs and home environments regarding energy balance behaviors according to parental education and ethnicity among schoolchildren in Europe: the ENERGY cross sectional study

Correspondence

The science of epidemiology and the methods needed for public health assessments: a review of epidemiology textbooks

Research article

Parental perception of child’s weight status and subsequent BMIz change: the KOALA birth cohort study