title: Self-Reported Poor Work Ability--An Indicator of Need for Rehabilitation? A Cross-Sectional Study of a Sample of German Employees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess associations of self-reported work ability as measured by the Work Ability Index (WAI) with modifiable behavioral and occupational health risks, health service utilization, and intended rehabilitation and pension requests.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study of a random sample of German employees aged 40-54 yrs on sickness benefits in 2012 (trial registration: DRKS00004824).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 1312 male and 1502 female employees were included in the analyses. Low WAI scores (i.e., <37 points) were associated with a higher prevalence of occupational and behavioral health risks; a higher likelihood of frequent visits to general, somatic, and psychologic specialists as well as hospital stays; and four to six times higher risks of intended rehabilitation and pension requests. A two-item version of the WAI was as strongly associated with intended rehabilitation and pension requests as the total score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that the WAI is a sensitive screening tool to identify workers on sick leave with a probable need for rehabilitation. The WAI could support the assessment of need for rehabilitation by occupational health services in return-to-work strategies, which include the opportunity to access multiprofessional rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: From the Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany (MB, KS); Centre for Quality Management in Healthcare, Physicians' Chamber of Lower Saxony, Hannover, Germany (TN); and Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany (IM, FMR).
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bethge
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spanier
authors.forename: Tjark
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neugebauer
authors.forename: Inka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mohnberg
authors.forename: Friedrich Michael
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Radoschewski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D062707:Return to Work; D057566:Self Report; D014937:Work; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation