Health, quality of life, social network and use of health care: a comparison between those granted and those not granted disability pensions.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to compare self-rated health, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), social networks and health care utilisation of those granted disability pension (DP) and those not granted disability pension (nDP).


METHODS
Demographic data and medical diagnoses were obtained from the records of the social insurance office. Data concerning self-reported health, HRQoL social networks, and use of health care were collected by a postal questionnaire. The nDP group included all those not granted full DPs between 1999 and 2000 (n = 99). The DP group were a random sample of those granted full DPs, during the same period (n = 197).


RESULTS
The nDP group had more often multiple diagnoses, and lower self-reported health and HRQoL compared to those granted DP. In particular, their average scores were lower on the SF-36 scales social functioning, role limitations due to physical problems and mental health. The nDP group also had significantly smaller social networks.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to expectations, those not granted a disability pension do not seem to have better health, but rather to suffer from more sickness than those who were granted a disability pension.
Ydreborg
Berit
B
Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Orebro County Council, Sweden. berit.ydreborg@orebroll.se
Ekberg
Kerstin
K
Nordlund
Anders
A
D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007341:Insurance; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010415:Pensions; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden