title: Educational differences in disability retirement among young employees in Helsinki, Finland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Disability retirement (DR) among young employees is an increasing problem affecting work life and public health, given the potential major loss of working time. Little is known about educational differences in the risk of DR among young employees, despite the need for such knowledge in targeting preventive measures. We examined the association between education and DR due to any cause and to mental and non-mental causes among young employees.
  
  
  METHODS
  Personnel register data of the City of Helsinki from the years 2002-2013 for 25-to-34-year-old employees (n= 41225) were linked to register data from the Finnish Centre for Pensions on DR (n= 381), and from Statistics Finland on education. Education was categorised into four hierarchical groups. The mean follow-up time was 5.7 years. Cox regression analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 381 DR events and of the events, over 70% were due to mental disorders and 72% were temporary. A consistent educational gradient was found. Those with a basic education were at the highest risk of DR due to any cause (HR 4.64, 95% CI 3.07, 7.02), and to mental (HR 4.79, 95% CI 2.89, 7.94) and non-mental causes (HR 4.32, 95% CI 2.10, 8.91).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DR due to any cause, and to mental and non-mental causes, followed a clear educational gradient. Early intervention, treatment and rehabilitation with a view to maintaining work ability are needed among young employees, especially those with low education. Adapting working conditions to their health and work ability may also help to avoid premature exit from work.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland hilla.sumanen@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Hilla
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sumanen
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Ossi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rahkonen
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pietiläinen
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lahelma
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Eira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Jouni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lahti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010415:Pensions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors