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Psychiatric disorders as a factor in sick-leave due to other diagnoses

A general population-based study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Gunnel Hensing  and
Fredrik Spak
Gunnel Hensing*
Affiliation:
Department of Environment and Health, Linköpings Universitet, Sweden
Fredrik Spak
Affiliation:
Department of Social Medicine, Göteborgs Universitet, Sweden
*
Gunnel Hensing, Department of Environment and Health. Division for Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, 5-581 85, Linköping, Sweden. Tel: 46-13 22 18 18; Fax: 46-13 22 18 65; e-mail: gunhe@soc.liu.se
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Abstract

Background

The aim was to analyse the role of psychiatric disorders in sick-leave in different sick-leave diagnoses.

Method

A stratified population-based sample of women (n=292) in Göteborg were interviewed, and diagnoses were made according to DSM–III–R. Sick-leave data, including diagnoses, were obtained for two years.

Results

Women with psychiatric disorders had an increased number of sick-leave spells and sick-leave days in all the sick-leave diagnostic groups. The largest differences between the two groups of women were found in mental disorders, diseases of the locomotor system and gastro-intestinal diseases. The association between psychiatric disorders and sick-leave was strongest in older age groups.

Conclusions

Unrecognised psychiatric disorders associated with an increased number of medical complaints and visits can be an important factor in the increase in sick-leave.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 172 , Issue 3 , March 1998 , pp. 250 - 256
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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