[Utilization of national insurance in connection with functional somatic disorders].
BACKGROUND
Functional somatic disorders are often seen in medical practice. This study describes their financial consequences for the national insurance scheme.


METHODS
National Insurance Administration data for the year 2000 were collected on sickness leave and disability pensions for fibromyalgia, whiplash injuries, chronic fatigue syndrome, dissociative and somatoform disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pelvic pain, and non-cardiac chest pain.


RESULTS
Functional somatic disorders caused 2.9% of all sick leave among employees. Most of these were caused by fatigue/exhaustion or fibromyalgia. 6.3% of all new disability pensioners had a functional disorder, two thirds of them fibromyalgia. Functional disorders were more frequent in women, and in the 25-59 age group.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional disorders, fibromyalgia especially, are a great concern for the national insurance system. More focus on individual functioning rather than the disorder might contribute to better follow-up for these patients.
Brage
Søren
S
Utredningsavdelingen Rikstrygdeverket 0241 Oslo. brage@ryggnett.no
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology