The capability set for work - correlates of sustainable employability in workers with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether work capabilities differ between workers with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and workers from the general population. The second aim was to investigate whether the capability set was related to work and health outcomes. METHODS: A total of 163 workers with MS from the MS@Work study and 163 workers from the general population were matched for gender, age, educational level and working hours. All participants completed online questionnaires on demographics, health and work functioning. The Capability Set for Work Questionnaire was used to explore whether a set of seven work values is considered valuable (A), is enabled in the work context (B), and can be achieved by the individual (C). When all three criteria are met a work value can be considered part of the individual's 'capability set'. RESULTS: Group differences and relationships with work and health outcomes were examined. Despite lower physical work functioning (U = 4250, p = 0.001), lower work ability (U = 10591, p = 0.006) and worse self-reported health (U = 9091, p ≤ 0.001) workers with MS had a larger capability set (U = 9649, p ≤ 0.001) than the general population. In workers with MS, a larger capability set was associated with better flexible work functioning (r = 0.30), work ability (r = 0.25), self-rated health (r = 0.25); and with less absenteeism (r = - 0.26), presenteeism (r = - 0.31), cognitive/neuropsychiatric impairment (r = - 0.35), depression (r = - 0.43), anxiety (r = - 0.31) and fatigue (r = - 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Workers with MS have a larger capability set than workers from the general population. In workers with MS a larger capability set was associated with better work and health outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This observational study is registered under NL43098.008.12: 'Voorspellers van arbeidsparticipatie bij mensen met relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerose'. The study is registered at the Dutch CCMO register ( https://www.toetsingonline.nl ). This study is approved by the METC Brabant, 12 February 2014. First participants are enrolled 1st of March 2014.

Predictors of functional improvement and future work status after the disability benefit claim: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: In most industrialized countries, disability benefit rates have increased substantially in the past decade. Few beneficiaries return into employment once disability benefit is awarded. The present study aims to investigate which factors predict functional improvement and future work status among persons claiming disability benefit after having been on long-term sickness leave. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with 1 year follow-up among disability claimants (n = 375; response rate: 24.3 %) conducted in the Netherlands (October 2008-April 2011). Logistic regression was used to analyze associations between predictors [demographics; outcomes of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12); 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress scale; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test; Trimbos/iMTA questionnaire for Costs associated with Psychiatric Illness; Utrecht Coping List; Social Support Questionnaire for Transactions and Satisfaction; certified International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (ICD-10) diagnosis; loss of earning capacity (LEC)] and outcomes [functional improvement on the World Health Organization Disability Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) exceeding the standard error of measurement; work status at follow-up]. RESULTS: Functional improvement on total WHODAS was reported by 84 (31.9 % of 263 claimants included in analysis). Of those not having work at baseline (n = 338), 34 (9.1 %) respondents had paid work 1 year later. Predictors of functional improvement: GHQ-12 sum score >20 [odds ratios (OR) 2.9; 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 1.54-5.34]; of future work status: work status at baseline (OR 16.8; 95 % CI 6.55-43.14), LEC < 80 % (OR 4.6; 95 % CI 1.87-11.42), contact with a medical specialist (OR 0.4; 95 % CI 0.19-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Only a limited number of factors were found to significantly predict functional improvement and return to paid work after the disability benefit claim, having paid work at baseline being by far the most important factor.

Predicting improvement of functioning in disability claimants.

PURPOSE: In the Netherlands, disability claimants are assessed after 2 years of sick leave, but their functioning may still improve. An accurate prognosis of functioning is difficult. Self predictions may be more accurate than those of professionals. The aim of this study, is to assess and compare the accuracy of predictions by disability claimants and insurance physicians (IPs) working at the Social Security Institute. It is further studied whether the accuracy differs between subgroups of claimants with mental or somatic health conditions. METHODS: We used data from the prospective cohort study cohort study. Following the assessment of the disability claim (n = 375) and after 1 year follow up (T1, n = 276) data on functioning were obtained from respondents by self-report questionnaire World Health Organization Disability Schedule 2.0. Both claimants and IPs were asked to predict improvement of functioning. Accuracy of their predictions were assessed by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating curves (AUC). Mixed logistic regression was conducted to explore differences in accuracy between claimants with mental and somatic conditions. RESULTS: One-third (32 %) of disability claimants improved beyond the standard error of measurement. Disability claimants' and IPs were able to predict this improvement of functioning, but to a limited extent, with an AUC of 0.61 for IPs and 0.62 for disability claimants. We found no statistically significant differences in the accuracy of the predictions in claimants with mental or somatic health conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements of functioning were not uncommon. However, both IPs and disability claimants were unable to predict improvement with high levels of accuracy in both mental and somatic health conditions.

Longitudinal determinants of employment status in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To investigate longitudinal relationships between employment status and disease-related, (neuro)psychological, and work-related factors in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: 170 employed people with MS underwent yearly neurological and neuropsychological examinations to assess MS-related disability and cognitive functioning. Additionally, they completed yearly questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, fatigue, cognitive complaints, workplace support and coping. Multilevel models for change were fitted to examine progression of these factors over three years, and to assess possible relationships with change in employment status. Results: People with a deteriorated employment status after three years reported more depression (p=0.009), a higher impact of fatigue (p<0.001), more cognitive complaints (p<0.001) and less workplace support (p=0.001) at baseline than people with a stable employment status. There were no differences in progression over time of the examined variables between people with a stable or deteriorated employment status. Conclusion: More depression, a higher impact of fatigue, more cognitive complaints and less workplace support are predictive of a deteriorated employment status after three years in individuals with MS. How these factors progress over time is not different between those with a stable or deteriorated employment. MS-related disability, anxiety, objective cognition and coping were not related to a deterioration in employment status.

Characteristics of zero-absenteeism in hospital care.

BACKGROUND: Literature on sickness presenteeism is emerging, but still little is known about employees who are never absent from work due to injuries or illness. Insight into the determinants and characteristics of such zero-absentees may provide clues for preventing sickness absence. AIMS: To investigate the characteristics of zero-absentees, defined as employees without sickness absence over a period of 5 years. METHODS: A mixed-method qualitative study comprising semi-structured interviews and focus groups for which Azjen and Fishbein's theory of planned behaviour was used as a framework. Zero-absentees working in hospital care were invited for semi-structured interviews until saturation was reached. The results of semi-structured interviews were validated in two focus groups. RESULTS: Of 1053 hospital employees, 47 were zero-absentees of whom 31 (66%) agreed to participate in the study. After 16 semi-structured interviews, no new insights or information were gathered from the interviews. The remaining 15 employees were invited to two (n = 8 and n = 7) focus groups. Personal attitudes and self-efficacy were more important in zero-absenteeism than social pressures of managers, colleagues or patients. Zero-absentees were found to be intrinsically motivated to try attending work when ill. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study population of hospital employees, we found indications that zero-absenteeism and sickness presenteeism might be different types of work attendance. Managers should realize that zero-absentees are driven by intrinsic motivation rather than social pressures to attend work.

Leadership effectiveness: a supervisor's approach to manage return to work.

PURPOSE: To investigate adaptive leadership in relation to personnel sickness absence (SA). In situational leadership, supervisors are effective if they adapt their leadership style appropriately to a given situation. METHODS: A managerial reorganization in a Dutch hospital with reassignment of supervisors provided the opportunity to compare SA in the same wards while under the leadership of different supervisors. Leadership effectiveness was measured with the Leader Effectiveness and Adaptability Description (LEAD). Personnel SA was retrieved from employer's records and cumulated at the individual level, distinguishing between short-term (1-7 day) and long-term (>7 days) SA. Cumulated SA days and mean SA lengths before and after managerial reorganization were compared at the individual level by using non-parametric paired statistical analyses. Employer's costs to compensate sick-listed employees' salaries before and after reorganization were cumulated and compared at ward level by using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: 6 wards (N = 403) retained the same supervisor, 6 wards (N = 504) were assigned more effective supervisors, and 4 wards (N = 184) got less effective supervisors than the ones before reorganization. Cumulated short-term SA days and lengths did not change with leadership effectiveness. Employees who got more effective supervisors had fewer long-term SA days and shorter long-term SA lengths than before reorganization. More effective supervisors saved an average of 21,368 Euros per ward, particularly due to less long-term SA. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term SA was shorter after employees got more effective supervisors. Adaptive supervisors can facilitate return to work and save SA costs by providing the right type of support to sick-listed employees.

Sickness absence due to mental health disorders--a societal perspective.

BACKGROUND: Sickness absence (SA) is affected by societal factors. Increasing socioeconomic stress may cause or worsen mental health disorders, which are among the most frequent causes of SA. Employees may also be more cautious about being absent, for example in times of poor economy. AIMS: To monitor the incidence of SA due to mental health disorders in the Netherlands from 2001 to 2010. METHODS: Descriptive observational study of long-term (> 3 weeks) SA available from an occupational health service register. The incidence of both total and mental health long-term SA in each year was calculated and evaluated alongside the changes in SA compensation policies, gross national product and national unemployment statistics. The incidence of mental health SA was stratified based on the economic (agricultural, industrial, private, public) sector. RESULTS: The incidence of both total and mental health SA decreased gradually since 2004, and fell during the economic recession in 2009 in all economic sectors, particularly the agricultural and industrial sectors. The incidence of mental health SA increased with preliminary economic recovery in 2010 in the private and public sectors, but not in the agricultural and industrial sectors. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term SA due to mental health disorders has decreased since 2004, but further studies across countries are required to confirm and explain this trend.

Employees sick-listed with mental disorders: who returns to work and when?

PURPOSE: To investigate return to work (RTW) in employees sick-listed with mental disorders classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). METHODS: Sickness absences (SA) medically certified as emotional disturbance (ICD-10 R45) or mental and behavioral disorders (ICD-10 F00-F99) were retrieved from an occupational health service register. RTW was associated with age, gender, and socioeconomic position (SEP) by parametric survival analysis. RESULTS: Emotional, neurotic, somatoform, stress-related, and mood disorders encompassed 94 % of all mental SA. Employees with emotional disturbance had the highest RTW rates: after 1 year 95 % had resumed work and after 2 years 98 % compared to 89 and 96 % of employees with neurotic, somatoform and stress-related disorders, and 70 and 86 % of employees with mood disorders. The probability of RTW decreased after 1 month of SA due to emotional disturbance, 2 months of SA with neurotic, somatoform and stress-related disorders, and 3 months of SA with mood disorders. Women resumed their work later than men. Young employees presenting with emotional disturbance, neurotic, somatoform, and stress-related disorders had earlier RTW than older employees and low-SEP employees had earlier RTW than high-SEP employees. CONCLUSIONS: RTW rates and probabilities differed across categories of mental disorders. Age and SEP were associated with RTW of employees with emotional, neurotic, somatoform, and stress-related disorders, but not with RTW of employees experiencing mood disorders. To maximize the likelihood of RTW, a focus on RTW is important in the first months after reporting sick with mental disorders.

Subjective cognitive impairment is related to work status in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Unemployment is common among people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and has been associated with subjective cognitive difficulties, specifically in memory, attention, and executive functioning. However, longitudinal research on subjective cognitive difficulties and employment is scarce. Objective: We investigated whether subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), based on the clinical cut-off score of the MS Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ), was associated with work status and negative work events (NWE) at baseline and after 2 years. Moreover, we investigated whether four MSNQ subdomains were related to work status and NWE. Methods: 287 participants (77.4% female, median age = 42 years) completed questionnaires on subjective cognitive functioning, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, and completed the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). After baseline comparisons, logistic regression analyses were performed, with work status and NWE at baseline, and employment change and NWE change within 2 years after baseline as dependent variables. Independent variables included SCI and the MSNQ domains. Covariates anxiety, depression, fatigue, and SDMT were added. Results: SCI, depression and anxiety were associated with work status (Nagelkerke R 2 = .286), but only SCI was associated with employment change (Nagelkerke R 2 = .164). No predictors were associated with NWE at baseline or follow-up. In addition, no MSNQ subdomain was related to work status, employment change or NWE. Conclusion: Unemployed pwMS and pwMS with a deteriorated work status reported more cognitive difficulties after 2 years than employed pwMS or pwMS with a stable work status. In addition, depression, and anxiety were associated with work status.

Trends in return to work of breast cancer survivors.

Most women interrupt their work activities during the treatment of cancer. This study investigated return to work (RTW) after treatment of breast cancer in the period from January 2002 to December 2008. ArboNed Occupational Health Service records the sickness absence and RTW data of more than one million workers of whom approximately 40% are women. Incident cases of sickness absence due to breast cancer (ICD-10 code C50) were selected from the ArboNed register. Proportions of partial RTW, with 50% of the earnings before sickness absence, and full RTW were determined 1 year after diagnosis. Trends in partial RTW and full RTW were examined by Chi-square trend analysis. The time to partial RTW and full RTW was analysed by Cox regression and stratified by age (<40 years, 40-50 years and >50 years). The proportion of partial RTW was stable around 70% from 2002 to 2008. The proportion of full RTW decreased from 52% in 2002 to 43% in 2008 and showed a linear decline in women of all ages. The time to partial RTW and full RTW in the years 2003-2008 did not change significantly compared with 2002. In the Netherlands, the proportion of employed women who fully resumed working after breast cancer within 1 year of diagnosis has decreased since 2002. These results warrant more epidemiological research to examine the trends in RTW of breast cancer survivors across countries.

Prognostic factors of long term disability due to mental disorders: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION In the past few decades, mental health problems have increasingly contributed to sickness absence and long-term disability. However, little is known about prognostic factors of return to work (RTW) and disability of persons already on sick leave due to mental health problems. Understanding these factors may help to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies to shorten the duration of disability and facilitate RTW. METHOD We reviewed systematically current scientific evidence about prognostic factors for mental health related long term disability, RTW and symptom recovery. Searching PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Cinahl and Business Source Premier, we selected articles with a publication date from January 1990 to March 2009, describing longitudinal cohort studies with a follow-up period of at least 1 year. Participants were persons on sick leave or receiving disability benefit at baseline. We assessed the methodological quality of included studies using an established criteria list. Consistent findings in at least two high quality studies were defined as strong evidence and positive findings in one high quality study were defined as limited evidence. RESULTS Out of 796 studies, we included seven articles, all of high methodological quality describing a range of prognostic factors, according to the ICF-model categorized as health-related, personal and external factors. We found strong evidence that older age (>50 years) is associated with continuing disability and longer time to RTW. There is limited evidence for the association of other personal factors (gender, education, history of previous sickness absence, negative recovery expectation, socio-economic status), health related (stress-related and shoulder/back pain, depression/anxiety disorder) and external i.e., job-related factors (unemployment, quality and continuity of occupational care, supervisor behavior) with disability and RTW. We found limited evidence for the association of personal/external factors (education, sole breadwinner, partial/full RTW, changing work tasks) with symptom recovery. CONCLUSION This systematic review identifies a number of prognostic factors, some more or less consistent with findings in related literature (mental health factors, age, history of previous sickness absence, negative recovery expectation, socio-economic status, unemployment, quality and continuity of occupational care), while other prognostic factors (gender, level of education, sole breadwinner, supervisor support) conflict with existing evidence. There is still great need for research on modifiable prognostic factors of continuing disability and RTW among benefit claimants with mental health problems. Recommendations are made as to directions and methodological quality of further research, i.e., prognostic cohort studies.

Return to work after cancer diagnosed in 2002, 2005 and 2008.

INTRODUCTION: Improvements in diagnosis and treatment of cancer have increased cancer survival. This study investigated the trends in return to work (RTW) after cancer. METHODS: All employees absent from work due to cancer diagnosed in 2002 (N = 1209), 2005 (N = 1522), and 2008 (N = 1556) were selected from an occupational health service register. Partial RTW was defined as resuming work with 50% of earnings and full RTW as resuming work with 100% of earnings. The percentages of partial and full RTW were determined 2 years after reporting sick and compared with percentages of partial and full RTW after cardiovascular disorders. The time to partial and full RTW after cancer in 2005 and 2008 was compared with the time to RTW in 2002. RESULTS: Partial RTW decreased from 85% 2 years after cancer diagnosis in 2002 to 80% in 2005 and 69% in 2008. Full RTW decreased from 80% 2 years after cancer diagnosis in 2002 to 74% in 2005 and 60% in 2008. RTW after cardiovascular disorders showed similar changes. The time to partial RTW in 2008 was longer than in 2002 after gastrointestinal cancer and lung cancer. The time to full RTW in 2008 was longer than in 2002 after breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer and lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In the past decade, the percentages of employees who resumed work after cancer have decreased in The Netherlands, while the time to RTW increased. Possible explanations include changes in disability policy, economic decline, and resulting decreases in work latitude and workplace accommodations.

Self-reported occupational functioning in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Does personality matter?

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) poses a major threat to sustainable employability. Identifying conditions and factors that promote work participation is of great importance. Our objective was to explore the contribution of personality traits in explaining occupational functioning in MS. METHODS: 241 participants with relapsing-remitting MS (78% female, median age: 42.0 years, median EDSS: 2.0) and 60 healthy controls (70% female, median age: 45.0 years) underwent neuropsychological and neurological examinations and completed questionnaires. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine relations between personality traits and self-reported occupational functioning, while accounting for known correlates. RESULTS: Personality traits were not associated with self-reported occupational functioning when correcting for known correlates. A higher impact of fatigue (B = -0.05, p = .005 and B = -0.04, p = .009) and depression (B = -0.22, p = .008 and B = -0.21, p = .01) were associated with no paid job (R2 = 0.13) and considering to reduce work hours (R2 = 0.12). A higher impact of fatigue (B = -0.05, p = .008, ß = 0.46, p = .001 and ß = -0.36, p = .001) was associated with absenteeism from work (R2 = 0.15), more presenteeism (R2 = 0.35) and lower work ability (R2 = 0.25). A higher impact of fatigue (ß = 0.46, p = .001) and anxiety (ß = 0.25, p = .001) were associated with more work difficulties (R2 = 0.54). CONCLUSION: Personality traits did not explain additional variance in self-reported occupational functioning in persons with relapsing-remitting MS with mild disability. The impact of fatigue was the main and most consistent correlate of occupational functioning, often combined with depression or anxiety. Total explained variance of the models was limited, emphasizing the need to additionally examine other (contextual) factors when considering occupational challenges in MS.

Factors associated with work participation and work functioning in depressed workers: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Depression is associated with negative work outcomes such as reduced work participation (WP) (e.g., sick leave duration, work status) and work functioning (WF) (e.g., loss of productivity, work limitations). For the development of evidence-based interventions to improve these work outcomes, factors predicting WP and WF have to be identified. METHODS: This paper presents a systematic literature review of studies identifying factors associated with WP and WF of currently depressed workers. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies were found that addressed factors associated with WP (N = 19) or WF (N = 11). For both outcomes, studies reported most often on the relationship with disorder-related factors, whereas personal factors and work-related factors were less frequently addressed. For WP, the following relationships were supported: strong evidence was found for the association between a long duration of the depressive episode and work disability. Moderate evidence was found for the associations between more severe types of depressive disorder, presence of co-morbid mental or physical disorders, older age, a history of previous sick leave, and work disability. For WF, severe depressive symptoms were associated with work limitations, and clinical improvement was related to work productivity (moderate evidence). Due to the cross-sectional nature of about half of the studies, only few true prospective associations could be identified. CONCLUSION: Our study identifies gaps in knowledge regarding factors predictive of WP and WF in depressed workers and can be used for the design of future research and evidence-based interventions. We recommend undertaking more longitudinal studies to identify modifiable factors predictive of WP and WF, especially work-related and personal factors.

Empathy in multiple sclerosis--Correlates with cognitive, psychological and occupational functioning.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies report deficits in social cognition in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Social cognitive skills such as empathy are important for adequate social and occupational functioning. Our objectives are: (1) to examine whether empathy differs between individuals with MS and healthy controls, (2) to examine relations between empathy and cognitive, psychological and occupational functioning. METHODS: 278 individuals with MS (relapsing-remitting subtype) and 128 healthy controls from the MS@Work study participated in this investigation. The participants completed questionnaires about demographics, cognitive, psychological and occupational functioning, and underwent neurological and neuropsychological examinations. Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to examine group differences in empathy. Pearson and Spearman rank correlation analyses were used to examine relations between empathy and the other measures. RESULTS: Empathy did not differ between individuals with MS and healthy controls. In individuals with MS, higher empathy was correlated with a higher educational level (X2(df) = 13.2(2), p = 0.001), better verbal learning (r = 0.20, p = 0.001), less symptoms of depression (r=-0.21, p = 0.001), higher extraversion (r = 0.25, p ≤ 0.001), agreeableness (r = 0.55, p ≤ 0.001) and conscientiousness (r = 0.27, p ≤ 0.001) and better occupational functioning in terms of work scheduling and output demands (r = 0.23, p = 0.002) and less cognitive/psychological work barriers (r = -0.21, p = 0.001). In healthy controls, higher empathy was correlated with less symptoms of depression (r = -0.34, p ≤ 0.001), less fatigue (r = -0.37, p ≤ 0.001), higher agreeableness (r = 0.59, p ≤ 0.001) and better occupational functioning in terms of work ability as compared to lifetime best (r = 0.28, p = 0.001) and less cognitive/psychological work barriers (r = -0.34, p ≤ 0.001). Empathy did not differ between unemployed and employed individuals with MS or healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Empathy did not differ between individuals with MS and healthy controls. Within both investigated groups, higher empathy was weakly to moderately correlated with less symptoms of depression, higher agreeableness and better occupational functioning. We also found unique correlations for empathy within the investigated groups. Longitudinal studies are needed to further examine social cognition in relation to cognitive, psychological and occupational functioning in both individuals with MS and healthy controls. It would be particularly interesting to concurrently examine changes in the brain network involved with social cognition.

Psychosocial work conditions and registered sickness absence: a 3-year prospective cohort study among office employees.

PURPOSE: To investigate associations between a wide variety of psychosocial work conditions and sickness absence in a medium-sized company. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 395 employees working in an insurance office. Self-reported psychosocial work conditions were measured by questionnaire in January 2002 and linked to registered sickness absence in the period January 2002 to December 2004 adjusting for earlier sick leave and psychological distress. RESULTS: The questionnaires of 244 employees were eligible for analysis. Decision authority and co-worker support were associated with sickness absence days, but their associations with sickness absence episodes were not significant. Role clarity was associated with the number of sickness absence days, but only with the number of short sickness absence episodes in women. CONCLUSIONS: The wide variety of investigated psychosocial work conditions contributed little to the explanation of sickness absence in the medium-sized insurance office.

Trends in the incidence of sickness absence due to common mental disorders between 2001 and 2007 in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are an important public health problem because of their prevalence and the probability of long-term work disability. The incidence of sickness absence with mental disorders has increased between 1985 and 2000, but little is known about trends in recent years. This study investigated the incidence of sickness absence due to common mental disorders in the Netherlands from 2001 to 2007. METHODS: Observational study in about 1 million employees, working in various economic sectors, representative for the Dutch workforce. Sickness absence episodes were medically certified by an occupational physician utmost in the fifth week of absence. The 12-month incidence of medically certified sickness absence was calculated for each year by dividing incident episodes by the number of employees. Sick days due to common mental disorders were computed as percentage of the total number of medically certified sick days. RESULTS: The 12-month incidence of sickness absence due to common mental disorders was 2.2% in 2001, increased to 2.7% in 2004 and decreased thereafter to 2.0% in 2007. The percentage of sick days due to common mental disorders was highest in the education sector (39%) followed by financial services (31%) and health care (30%). CONCLUSIONS: In the Netherlands, the incidence of sickness absence with common mental disorders was highest in 2004 and has decreased since then probably because of changes in sick leave compensation, economic market position and company policies.

One-year trajectories of mental health and work outcomes post return to work in patients with common mental disorders.

BACKGROUND: We investigated one-year trajectories of symptom recovery, work functioning and the return to work percentage (RTW%) among patients with common mental disorders (CMDs). METHODS: Data were used from a cluster-randomised controlled trial evaluating a problem-solving intervention for CMD patients (N = 158) who had returned to work. Information on anxiety and depressive symptoms, work functioning and RTW% was collected at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Latent class growth analyses were used to identify trajectories for the four outcomes and investigate how these trajectories clustered in higher order latent classes. Additionally, we investigated the relation between patient characteristics and class membership. RESULTS: We identified four trajectories for all four outcomes and derived three higher order latent classes: slow recovery (42% [66/158]) (high anxiety and depressive symptoms, moderate to low work functioning and fast RTW); fast recovery (25% [40/158]) (low anxiety and depressive symptoms, high work functioning and fast RTW); and gradual recovery (33% [52/158] (decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms, increasing or low work functioning and fast RTW). Participants with a higher work engagement and readiness to stay at work were more likely to belong to the fast recovery class. LIMITATIONS: Due to the relatively small sample size, some trajectories consisted of few participants. Symptom severity was self-reported. CONCLUSIONS: Many CMD patients experience high levels of mental health symptoms and work functioning problems during the year post RTW. Creating realistic recovery expectations (for both patients and their environments) could be important for successful and sustainable recovery and work participation.

Caregiver strain among life partners of persons with mild disability due to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system with an unpredictable disease course. Life partners often become caregivers, which can be both rewarding and challenging, as the caregiver's physical and mental health is often negatively affected. Previous studies on caregiver strain focused on caregivers of persons with MS with relatively high disability levels, while caregiver strain may already be experienced by life partners living with mildly disabled persons with MS. OBJECTIVE: The current study examines factors associated with caregiver strain in life partners of persons with mild disability due to relapsing-remitting MS. METHODS: We included 173 persons with relapsing-remitting MS (79% female; mean age 42.8 years; 90% employed; median EDSS 2.0) and their life partners. The life partners completed questionnaires on caregiver strain and neuropsychiatric and cognitive functioning of the person with MS. The persons with MS completed questionnaires about demographics, fatigue, personality, physical, cognitive and neuropsychiatric functioning, and underwent neuropsychological and neurological examinations. A linear regression analysis was conducted to examine predictors of caregiver strain. RESULTS: 24% of the life partners experienced above average levels of caregiver strain. A multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that a higher age of the person with MS (ß = 0.16, p = 0.04), more physical disability (ß = 0.17 p = 0.04), more cognitive and neuropsychiatric problems of the person with MS as reported by the life partner (ß = 0.33, p = 0.001) and higher severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms as reported by the life partner (ß = 0.32, p = 0.001) were associated with higher caregiver strain (R2 = 0.49). CONCLUSION: Higher caregiver strain in life partners of persons with mild disability due to relapsing-remitting MS was primarily associated with cognitive and neuropsychiatric problems of the person with MS.

High prevalence of early onset mental disorders among long-term disability claimants.

PURPOSE: To provide information on prevalence, comorbidity, age-of-onset and severity of mental disorders among persons claiming disability after long-term sickness absence. METHOD: Cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of Dutch disability claimants (n = 346). Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) 3.0 was used to generate DSM-IV classifications of mental disorder, age-of-onset and severity; registry data were used on demographics and ICD-10 classifications of somatic disorder. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 49.8 (range 22-64). The most prevalent broad categories of mental disorders were mood and anxiety disorder with a 12-month prevalence of 28.6% and 32.9%, respectively. Mood and most anxiety disorders had ages of onset in adolescence and early adulthood. The phobias start at school age. Of all respondents, 33.7% had ≥1 12-month mental disorder. Co-occurrence of substance use disorders, phobias and depression/anxiety disorders is frequent. Urogenital and gastrointestinal diseases, and cancer coincide with 12-month mental disorder in 66.7%, 53.9% and 51.7% of cases, respectively. More than two out of three specific mental disorders are serious in terms of disability and days out of working role. CONCLUSIONS: Disability claimants constitute a vulnerable population with a high prevalence of serious mental disorder, substantial comorbidity and ages-of-onset in early working careers. More research is needed to help prevent long-term sickness absence and disability of claimants with mental health problems. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: This study shows common mental disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders, to be highly prevalent among persons claiming disability benefit after long-term sickness absence, to have early onsets and to often co-occur with somatic disorders. Professionals in primary and occupational health care should assess need for treatment of workers at risk, while at the same time being careful not to medicalize normal life problems. Insurance physicians assessing disability benefit claims should identify factors that caused claimants to call in sick and start interventions to promote return to work.