Depressive complaints as a predictor of sickness absence among the working population.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between depressive complaints and sickness absence in the working population.


METHODS
Data from a prospective epidemiological cohort (n = 3339) were used. Depressive complaints were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD-D) Scale. Sickness absence was assessed objectively through individual record linkage with the company registers.


RESULTS
Higher levels of depressive complaints were associated with a shorter time to first sickness absence spell and a longer duration of sickness absence. In women with mild depressive complaints, the average number of sickness absence days over 10 months follow-up was 27.37 (SD = 64.73) days versus 11.01 (SD = 30.03) days (P < 0.001) in employees scoring within the reference range. In men this was 14.48 (SD = 38.73) days versus 7.67 (SD = 25.80) days (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention of mild depressive complaints might be beneficial in preventing future sickness absence.
Lexis
Monique A S
MA
Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. Monique.Lexis@epid.unimaas.nl
Jansen
Nicole W H
NW
van Amelsvoort
Ludovic G P M
LG
van den Brandt
Piet A
PA
Kant
Ijmert
I
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires