title: Prospective Cohort Study of Work Functioning Impairment and Subsequent Absenteeism Among Japanese Workers.
abstract: This study examined the association of work functioning impairment as measured by work functioning impairment scale (WFun) and subsequent sick leave.
  
  
  
  A prospective cohort study was conducted at a manufacturer in Japan, and 1263 employees participated. Information on sick leave was gathered during an 18-month follow-up period.
  
  
  
  The hazard ratios (HRs) of long-term sick leave were substantially increased for those with a WFun score greater than 25 (HR = 3.99, P = 0.003). The incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of days of short-term absence gradually increased as scores of WFun increased (IRR = 1.18, P < 0.001 in the subjects with WFun of over 25 comparing with those with WFun of 14 or less).
  
  
  
  Assessing work functioning impairment is a useful way of classifying risk for future sick leave among employees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health (Drs Fujino, Muramatsu, Kubo, Matsuda), Department of Ergonomics, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences (Drs Shazuki, Izumi), University of Occupational and Environmental Health; Health Support Center, Brother Industries, Ltd. (Dr Uehara); and Corporate ESH & QA, Asahi Kasei Corporation (Dr Oyama), Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujino
authors.forename: Shuichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shazuki
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.forename: Masamichi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uehara
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muramatsu
authors.forename: Tatsuhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oyama
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuda
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation