The work ability index and single-item question: associations with sick leave, symptoms, and health--a prospective study of women on long-term sick leave.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the association between the work ability index (WAI) and the single-item question on work ability among women working in human service organizations (HSO) currently on long-term sick leave. It also examined the association between the WAI and the single-item question in relation to sick leave, symptoms, and health. Predictive values of the WAI, the changed WAI, the single-item question and the changed single-item question were investigated for degree of sick leave, symptoms, and health.


METHODS
This cohort study comprised 324 HSO female workers on long-term (>60 days) sick leave, with follow-ups at 6 and 12 months. Participants responded to questionnaires. Data on work ability, sick leave, health, and symptoms were analyzed with regard to associations and predictability. Spearman correlation and mixed-model analysis were performed for repeated measurements over time.


RESULTS
The study showed a very strong association between the WAI and the single-item question among all participants. Both the WAI and the single-item question showed similar patterns of associations with sick leave, health, and symptoms. The predictive value for the degree of sick leave and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was strong for both the WAI and the single-item question, and slightly less strong for vitality, neck pain, both self-rated general and mental health, and behavioral and current stress.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the single-item question on work ability could be used as a simple indicator for assessing the status and progress of work ability among women on long-term sick leave.
Ahlstrom
Linda
L
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, S-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden. linda.ahlstrom@amm.gu.se
Grimby-Ekman
Anna
A
Hagberg
Mats
M
Dellve
Lotta
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data