[Disability caused by affective disorders--what do the Federal German Health report data teach us?].
OBJECTIVE
To bring the data from the Federal German Health report about work disability and pensioning into context with current knowledge about the course and etiology of depression.


METHODS
The report data about first-time recipients of a disability pension were analysed by year, illness and gender. Resulting data were interpreted and were compared with international publications.


RESULTS
The percentage of applications for disability pensions due to psychiatric illnesses have been rising steadily for two decades. Among these, depression (31%) and neurotic disorders (23%) are most frequently responsible, while most other causes of disability have been declining. Current treatment of depressive disorders does not seem to have had any effect in terms of reducing the number of disabled persons per year.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the risk factors associated with developing a depressive disorder have been extensively studied, data explaining the progression into disability is scarce but essential. More research in the psychodynamics of depression and work participation might be helpful.
Wedegärtner
Felix
F
Abteilung Klinische Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, OE 7117, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover. wedegaertner.felix@mh-hannover.de
Sittaro
Nicola-Alexander
NA
Emrich
Hinderk M
HM
Dietrich
Detlef E
DE
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D010415:Pensions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012943:Social Security / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*