Predicting long-term sickness absence and early retirement pension from self-reported work ability.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between self-reported work ability and long-term term of sickness absence or early retirement from the labour market.


METHODS
Data on work ability were retrieved from a representative cohort study of Danish wage earners and linked with a register of social payment transfers. In all, 4.743 individuals were followed from 2001 to 2005. Cox regression was used for the analyses.


RESULTS
A one point decrease in perceived work ability, on a 10 point scale, was associated with an increased risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA) of 15.1% (95% CI 12-19%, P < 0.0001) and an increased risk of early retirement from the labour market of 33% (95% CI 20-48%, P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Reports of reduced work ability were significantly associated with both an increased risk of onset of LTSA and early retirement from the labour market, after adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle variables.
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen, Denmark. lse@nrcwe.dk
Lea
L
Sell
Ute
U
Bültmann
Reiner
R
Rugulies
Ebbe
E
Villadsen
Anne
A
Faber
Karen
K
Søgaard
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010415:Pensions; D012179:Retirement / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D057566:Self Report; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*