Disqualified for disability pension--a case/referent study.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse medical and other determinants for decisions about rejection or acceptance of applications for disability pension.


METHODS
A register-based retrospective case-control study was carried out in the area of a county in mid-Sweden. Cases were all individuals rejected a full disability pension 1999-2000, in all 99 cases. Controls were every tenth person granted a full disability pension during the same period, 198 individuals. Determinants were recorded from the protocols at the Social Insurance Office.


RESULTS
Unemployment (OR=7.1, CI=3.1 - 16.4), living in the main municipality, (OR=2.8, CI=1.4 - 5.8) and age below 50 years (OR=0.4, CI=0.2 - 0.8) were determinants for rejection of disability pension. Medical status, as described in the Social Insurance act, had no association with the outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
There appear to be variations in praxis of rejection of applicants between Social Insurance boards in different geographical areas due to reasons other than medical. Socio-economic situation of the applicant may have an influence. Established criteria for determining work ability are needed.
Ydreborg
Berit A-M
BA
Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, SE-70116 Orebro, Sweden. berit.ydreborg@orebroll.se
Ekberg
Kerstin
K
D000367:Age Factors; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D010415:Pensions; D012042:Registries; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012943:Social Security / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014478:Unemployment