Recurrence of sickness absence due to common mental disorders

Abstract

PurposeCommon mental disorders (CMDs) are an important cause of work disability. Although CMDs are known to have high recurrence rates, little is known about the recurrence of sickness absence due to CMDs. This study examines the recurrence risk of sickness absence due to CMDs.MethodsA cohort of 9,904 employees with a sickness absence due to CMDs, working in the Dutch Post or Telecommunication company, was studied over a 7-year period. Recurrence was defined as the start of at least one new episode of sickness absence with CMDs after complete return to work for at least 28 days. The recurrence density (RD) of sickness absence with CMDs was calculated per 1,000 person-years.ResultsOf the 9,904 employees with a first absence due to CMDs 1,925 (19%) had a recurrence, 90% of recurrences occurred within 3 years. The RD of sickness absence due to CMDs was 84.5 employees per 1,000 person-years (95% CI = 80.7–88.3). The RD of sickness absence due to CMDs was similar in women and in men. In men, depressive symptoms were related to higher recurrence of sickness absence due to CMDs than distress symptoms and adjustment disorders. In women, no difference by diagnostic category was found.ConclusionsEmployees with a previous episode of sickness absence with CMDs are at increased risk of recurrent sickness absence with CMDs. Relapse prevention consultations are recommended for a period of 3 years after return to work.

Perfil epidemiológico dos servidores públicos catarinenses afastados do trabalho por transtornos mentais de 2010 a 2013

“…Medical absence in a preceding year suggests 25% of future absence for the same reason, and absence two years previously, a probability of 30% of new absence 11,13 . In women, stress related to workplace and interpersonal conflicts is a predictor for absence of eight days or more.…”

“…These disorders, especially depression 11 , reduce the work capacity and cause long periods of absence, along with early retirement and mortality 7,12,13 .…”

“…Illness due to MBD, which implies high number of medical certificates, means large personal, institutional, economic and social losses such as absence from work, reduced work capacity and loss of productivity 11,[26][27][28][29] .…”

Narratives of Sick Leave, Return to Work and Job Mobility for People with Common Mental Disorders in Sweden

“…CMDs, and anxiety in particular, have been identified as a risk factor for future sick leave [1], and the recurrence is high [2]. In Sweden, mental health problems is one of the most common causes for sick leave, especially for women [3], and may have negative individual, social and economic consequences.…”

Trabalhadores afastados por transtornos mentais e de comportamento: o retorno ao ambiente de trabalho e suas consequências na vida laboral e pessoal de alguns bancários

“…2011 www.anpad.org.br/rac empregados durante o processo sem, no entanto, fazerem registro da continuidade ou não dos elementos emocionais após o afastamento do empregado e seu retorno ao ambiente de trabalho. Com o levantamento bibliográfico realizado, verificou-se a escassez de publicações a respeito do assunto, tendo sido encontrado apenas o trabalho de Koopmans et al (2011), cujo resultado mostrou que após um episódio relacionado a transtornos mentais comuns, é maior o risco de absenteísmo recorrente, devido a doenças como estresse e depressão. As evidências obtidas, a partir de queixas apresentadas por trabalhadores do Banco pesquisado, conduziram ao seguinte questionamento: Qual a percepção de alguns trabalhadores do Banco, ao retornarem ao trabalho após um período de licença médica, devido a transtornos mentais e de comportamento, em relação à sua vida laboral e pessoal?…”