Synergistic effect between back pain and common mental disorders and the risk of future disability pension: a nationwide study from Sweden.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse a possible synergistic effect between back pain and common mental disorders (CMDs) in relation to future disability pension (DP). METHOD: All 4,823,069 individuals aged 16-64 years, living in Sweden in December 2004, not pensioned in 2005 and without ongoing sickness absence at the turn of 2004/2005 formed the cohort of this register-based study. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for DP (2006-2010) were estimated. Exposure variables were back pain (M54) (sickness absence or inpatient or specialized outpatient care in 2005) and CMD (F40-F48) [sickness absence or inpatient or specialized outpatient care or antidepressants (N06a) in 2005]. RESULTS: HRs for DP were 4.03 (95% CI 3.87-4.21) and 3.86 (95% CI 3.68-4.04) in women and men with back pain. HRs for DP in women and men with CMD were 4.98 (95% CI 4.88-5.08) and 6.05 (95% CI 5.90-6.21). In women and men with both conditions, HRs for DP were 15.62 (95% CI 14.40-16.94) and 19.84 (95% CI 17.94-21.94). In women, synergy index, relative excess risk due to interaction, and attributable proportion were 1.24 (95% CI 1.13-1.36), 0.18 (95% CI 0.11-0.25), and 2.08 (95% CI 1.09-3.06). The corresponding figures for men were 1.45 (95% CI 1.29-1.62), 0.29 (95% CI 0.22-0.36), and 4.21 (95% CI 2.71-5.70). CONCLUSIONS: Co-morbidity of back pain and CMD is associated with a higher risk of DP than either individual condition, when added up, which has possible clinical implications to prevent further disability and exclusion from the labour market.

Prevalence and predictors of low future expectations among Syrian refugees resettled in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Future Expectation is important for motivation and wellbeing, however drastic life events such as in refugee situations may result in low expectations. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and determinants of low future expectations among Syrian refugees resettled in Sweden. METHODS: A random sample of 1215 Syrian refugees resettled in Sweden responded to questionnaire. Weighted analyses and adjusted relative risks were conducted to determine the prevalences and predictors of low future expectations. Synergy index was calculated for low social support and depression in relation to low expectations. RESULTS: The prevalences of low future expectations for labour market, social and economic intergration were 10.9%, 13.4% and 14.1% respectively. Longer stay in Sweden, being older, low social support and depression were associated with low future expectations. The simultaneous presence of depression and low social support had a synergistic effect on low social expectation. DISCUSSIONS: Understanding and addressing factors related to low future expectations among refugees may be useful for facilitating their labour market, social and economic integration.

Suicide among first-generation and second-generation immigrants in Sweden: association with labour market marginalisation and morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that first-generation immigrants have a lower suicide risk than those both born in Sweden and with both parents born in Sweden (natives), while the suicide risk in the second generation seems higher. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent suicide risk in first-generation and second-generation (both parents born abroad) and intermediate-generation (only one parent born abroad) immigrants compared with natives is associated with sociodemographic factors, labour market marginalisation and morbidity. METHODS: A prospective population-based cohort study of 4 034 728 individuals aged 16-50 years was followed from 2005 to 2010. HRs for suicide were calculated for first-generation, intermediate-generation and second-generation immigrants compared with natives. Analyses were controlled for sociodemographic factors, morbidity and labour market marginalisation. RESULTS: The HR of suicide was significantly lower in first-generation immigrants (HR 0.83 CI 0.76 to 0.91), and higher in second-generation (HR 1.32, CI 1.15 to 1.52) and intermediate-generation immigrants (HR 1.20, CI 1.08 to 1.33) in comparison to natives. The excess risk was explained by differences in sociodemographics, morbidity and labour market marginalisation. In the fully adjusted models, a higher HR remained only for the Nordic second generation (HR 1.29, CI 1.09 to 1.52). There were no sex differences in HRs. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of suicide was shown to be lower in the first generation and higher in the second generation compared with natives. The higher HR in the Nordic second generation was not explained by differences in sociodemographics, labour market marginalisation and morbidity. Further research is warranted to investigate factors underlying this excess risk.