The role of depression and chronic pain conditions in absenteeism: results from a national epidemiologic survey.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether depression is associated with absenteeism in a sample of individuals with chronic pain.


METHODS
Data were obtained from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2. Key variables were chronic pain, defined as fibromyalgia, arthritis/rheumatism, back problems, and migraine headaches, absenteeism, and depression. The sample comprised 9,238,154 individuals who reported at least one chronic pain condition and were absent from their job in the previous week because of illness or disability.


RESULTS
Nineteen percent of absent individuals met criteria for major depression versus 7.9% of non-absent individuals. The presence of major depression represented a three-fold risk of absenteeism. Other risk factors for absenteeism included younger age, higher income, and more education.


CONCLUSIONS
Comorbid depression and chronic pain represents a significant source of disability in the workforce.
Munce
Sarah E P
SE
Women's Health Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. sarah.munce@utoronto.ca
Stansfeld
Stephen A
SA
Blackmore
Emma Robertson
ER
Stewart
Donna E
DE
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors