How to measure sickness absence? Literature review and suggestion of five basic measures.
OBJECTIVE
To examine different sick-leave measures used in sickness absence research, and to suggest a systematic way of assessing sickness absence.


METHODS
A review and analysis of five major studies on sick-leave performed 1983-1988 with an epidemiological approach.


RESULTS
Terminology and measures used varied in the different studies reviewed. The choice of a certain measure was seldom discussed in relation to the aim of the study. Based on the review five measures are suggested: frequency, length, incidence rate, cumulative incidence and duration. The definition of incidence rate is new and is a measure useful in studies of recurrent events within epidemiology.


CONCLUSIONS
We have reviewed sick-leave measures previously used in the literature and suggested five basic measures for assessing sick-leave.
Hensing
G
G
Department of Health and Environment, Linköping University, Sweden.
Alexanderson
K
K
Allebeck
P
P
Bjurulf
P
P
D000041:Absenteeism; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*