The effect of parental pain, disability benefits and education on risk of long-term sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders and the modifying effect of sleep and physical activity: the HUNT study.

BACKGROUND: Family factors, sleep, and physical activity have previously been associated with risk of sick leave and disability benefits due to musculoskeletal disorders. However, how these factors act during adolescence and young adulthood is unclear. The aim of this study was to (i) examine if chronic pain, disability benefits and education in parents influence the risk of long-term sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders in young adulthood, and (ii) to explore if offspring sleep problems and physical activity modify these effects. METHODS: A population-based prospective study of 18,552 adolescents and young adults (≤ 30 years) in the Norwegian HUNT Study. Survey data was linked to national registry data on sick leave, disability benefits, family relations and educational attainment. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for long-term (≥ 31 days) sick leave due to a musculoskeletal disorder in offspring associated with parental factors and the joint effect of parental factors and offspring lifestyle factors. RESULTS: Parental chronic pain (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.27-1.45), disability benefits (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.33-1.48) and low educational attainment (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.67-1.90) increased the risk of long-term sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders among offspring. There was no strong evidence that sleep and physical activity modified these effects. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain, disability benefit and low education in parents increased the risk of long-term sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders among offspring, but these effects were not modified by offspring sleep problems or physical activity level. The findings suggest that efforts beyond individual lifestyle factors might be important as preventive measures.

How Should MLP Clinicians and Attorneys Help Veterans Secure Disability Benefits When Health Records Documentation Is Insufficient?

This case commentary considers unique features of medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) in the Veterans Health Administration that may potentially mediate and minimize ethical tensions that may arise in MLP collaborations involving diagnosing and documenting disability.

Transition from rehabilitation hospital to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for people with brain injury and spinal cord injury: a data linkage protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are both major contributors to permanent disability globally, with an estimated 27 million new cases of TBI and 0.93 million new cases of SCI globally in 2016. In Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support to people with disability. Reports from the NDIS suggest that the cost of support for people with TBI and SCI has been increasing dramatically, and there is a lack of independent analysis of the drivers of these increases. This data linkage seeks to better understand the participant transition between rehabilitation hospitals and the NDIS and the correlation between functional independence in rehabilitation and resource allocation in the NDIS. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a retrospective, population-based cohort study using Australia-wide NDIS participant data and rehabilitation hospital episode data. The linked dataset provides a comparison of functional independence against which to compare the NDIS resource allocation to people with TBI and SCI. This protocol outlines the secure and separated data linkage approach employed in linking partially identified episode data from the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre (AROC) with identified participant data from the NDIS. The linkage employs a stepwise deterministic linkage approach. Statistical analysis of the linked dataset will consider the relationship between the functional independence measure score from the rehabilitation hospital and the committed funding supports in the NDIS plan. This protocol sets the foundation for an ongoing data linkage between rehabilitation hospitals and the NDIS to assist transition to the NDIS. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is from the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee. AROC Data Governance Committee and NDIS Data Management Committee have approved this project. Research findings will be disseminated to key stakeholders through peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals and presentations to clinical and policy audiences via AROC and NDIS.

[Primary chronic pain : the lack of recognition for an invisible handicap]. / Douleur chronique primaire : le manque de reconnaissance d'un handicap invisible.

Despite chronic primary pain being recognized as a disease in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), individuals suffering from it are still too frequently met with a certain skepticism. This skepticism can detrimentally affect their healthcare journey, social life, and economic stability. This article outlines part of the legal evolution regarding the recognition of chronic pain as well as the current insurance-related provisions in Switzerland. With a thorough understanding of this system, physicians can reduce frustration and disputes as well as promoting decision-making processes. The article concludes by highlighting the tools that physicians can use to navigate procedures related to disability insurance effectively.

Malgré une reconnaissance de la douleur chronique primaire comme maladie à part entière dans la 11e révision de la Classification internationale des maladies (CIM), les patient-e-s en souffrant font encore trop fréquemment face à un certain scepticisme. Cela peut leur porter préjudice dans leur parcours de soin, leur vie sociale et leur stabilité économique. Cet article retrace une partie de l'évolution légale de la reconnaissance de la douleur chronique ainsi que les dispositions assécurologiques en vigueur en Suisse. Une bonne connaissance de ce système de la part des médecins peut diminuer la frustration des patient-e-s, les litiges et la lenteur des décisions. Enfin, cet article conclut en proposant des conseils et des outils pour que les médecins puissent accompagner au mieux leurs patient-e-s dans les procédures assécurologiques.

Life and Disability Insurance for People with or at Risk of HIV: Aligning Policy with Evidence.

Antiretroviral medications have substantially improved life expectancy for people with HIV. These medications are also highly effective in preventing HIV acquisition in people who do not have HIV, a strategy known as HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Despite these advances, some life and disability insurers continue to deny or limit coverage for people with HIV, and some have even refused to cover people who are using PrEP to protect themselves. These policies unfairly deny people with HIV, PrEP users, and their families the peace of mind and financial protection that can come with life and disability insurance coverage. This article summarizes the current evidence on HIV treatment and prevention, arguing that underwriting decisions by life and disability insurers should not be made based on HIV status or use of PrEP.

Perceived barriers and enablers to utilising the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme for adults with an intellectual disability and their families: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia in 2013 promised significant improvements in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities. Although the scheme enables support, there are challenges associated with establishing eligibility and administering funds. This scoping review explored perceived barriers and enablers to effectively utilising the NDIS for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. METHOD: A scoping review of the empirical literature on the NDIS and intellectual disabilities included nine studies in this review. These papers were subjected to thematic analysis and the findings were presented as a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The key themes identified were: (1) Limited understanding of the NDIS process; (2) Language use and capacity assumptions; (3) Unrealistic goals and progress, and difficulty utilising plans; (4) Expectations of families and associated workloads; (5) Opening up opportunities not previously available; (6) Knowledgeable planners who actively seek to involve adults and their families. CONCLUSION: Although qualitative studies demonstrate that adults with an intellectual disability and their families are largely satisfied with the increased opportunities the NDIS has afforded them, there are various areas in which accessibility to services can be improved. In order for the NDIS to continue to improve, the results from this scoping review underline the need for adults with an intellectual disability and their support systems to have their voices heard and be utilised.

'Everything would have gone a lot better if someone had listened to me': A nationwide study of emergency department contact by people with a psychosocial disability and a National Disability Insurance Scheme plan.

Australians with a psychosocial disability (PSD) and a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan may at times require emergency care due to the fluctuating nature of their physical and mental health conditions or when their supports have become insufficient. This nationwide study investigated the experiences of people presenting to an emergency department (ED) who have a PSD and an NDIS plan. The objective was to understand current care and communication practices and to provide recommendations for service integration. Twenty-four interviews were conducted with people who had a PSD and an NDIS plan. Participants were asked semi-structured questions about their experiences when engaging with NDIS processes and when engaging with the ED as an NDIS recipient and how communication practices could be improved between the two services. A qualitative, descriptive thematic analysis approach was used. A lived experience advisory group participated in the research and provided commentary. The findings of this study indicate that the NDIS, as a personalised budget scheme, presents challenges for people with complex PSD and physical needs. ED clinicians appear to be unclear about what the NDIS provides and communication between the two systems is fragmented and inconsistent. The themes identified from the analysed transcripts are: (a) People with PSD experience distress when dealing with the NDIS; (b) There's a blame game between the ED and the NDIS; and (c) Inadequate service integration between the ED and NDIS. Recommendations to assist with service integration include building service capacity, providing overlapping care and bridging the diverse biomedical, psychosocial and disability care services.

Endometriosis and Disability: Analysis of Federal Court Appeals of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Claims by Individuals Suffering From Endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis, a chronic noncancerous gynecologic condition commonly characterized by disruptive physical and psychosocial symptoms, can be disabling. Individuals in the United States with endometriosis who are unable to work before retirement age can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Given the multi-step process of disability review, it is important to better understand how disability decisions are made. This study aimed to examine approaches and rationales of U.S. federal appeals courts reviewing SSDI and/or SSI claims involving endometriosis-related issues of appeal. METHODS: We searched Westlaw and Nexis Uni records, available as of January 2021, for federal appeals of SSDI and SSI claims including endometriosis as an impairment. Two independent reviewers screened full-text cases and extracted data. Framework Analysis was applied to courts' rationales regarding endometriosis-related issues of appeal. RESULTS: Eighty-seven appeals addressed an endometriosis-related issue. Three themes-evidence, treatment, and time-were identified across the decisions. The courts' discussions across themes exposed rationales and evidentiary requirements that posed challenges for claimants with endometriosis. The courts found subjective reports of symptoms insufficient evidence of impairment and positive responses to treatments to indicate cures or prevent claimants from demonstrating the necessary continuous 12 months of impairment. Some courts expected claimants to use treatments such as contraception or hysterectomy without addressing the risks of such treatments or the fact that they might have been counter to claimants' needs and preferences. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with endometriosis face evidentiary obstacles and common misconceptions about disease, diagnosis, and treatment in disability claims. SSDI and SSI endometriosis claims are systematically disadvantaged, particularly among those without access to care. The health care, policy, and legal systems can leverage the findings in this study to create a more equitable disability application and review system for those with chronic pain conditions such as endometriosis.

Societal costs and survival of patients with biopsy-verified non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: Danish nationwide register-based study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Studies on the societal burden of patients with biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are sparse. This study examined this question, comparing NAFLD with matched reference groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nationwide Danish healthcare registers were used to include all patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with biopsy-verified NAFLD (1997-2021). Patients were classified as having simple steatosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with or without cirrhosis, and all matched with liver-disease free reference groups. Healthcare costs and labour market outcomes were compared from 5 years before to 11 years after diagnosis. Patients were followed for 25 years to analyse risk of disability insurance and death. RESULTS: 3,712 patients with biopsy-verified NASH (n = 1,030), simple steatosis (n = 1,540) or cirrhosis (n = 1,142) were identified. The average total costs in the year leading up to diagnosis was 4.1-fold higher for NASH patients than the reference group (EUR 6,318), 6.2-fold higher for cirrhosis patients and 3.1-fold higher for simple steatosis patients. In NASH, outpatient hospital contacts were responsible for 49 % of the excess costs (EUR 3,121). NASH patients had statistically significantly lower income than their reference group as early as five years before diagnosis until nine years after diagnosis, and markedly higher risk of becoming disability insurance recipients (HR: 4.37; 95 % CI: 3.17-6.02) and of death (HR: 2.42; 95 % CI: 1.80-3.25). CONCLUSIONS: NASH, simple steatosis and cirrhosis are all associated with substantial costs for the individual and the society with excess healthcare costs and poorer labour market outcomes.

The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Receipt of Needed Medical Care and At-Home Support among U.S. Households Receiving Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance on the Basis of Disability.

More than 8.1 million Americans with disabilities qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Individuals with disabilities were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, which may have altered individual and household behavior. Research on the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with disabilities and their families remains limited. Authors analyzed 2020 National Health Interview Survey data. Logistic regression models were applied, controlling for the effects of age, race, sex, income, education, employment, and health status. Households with SSI/SSDI beneficiaries with disabilities were associated with significantly greater odds of delaying or forgoing medical care and receiving needed personal and household care at home due to COVID-19 compared with households without beneficiaries. The health and well-being of households with individuals with disabilities may require more robust and inclusive social work initiatives that aim to reduce adverse pandemic impacts.

Quality of life and factors associated among public university employees retired due to disabilities / Qualidade de vida e fatores associados entre servidores aposentados por invalidez de universidades públicas / Calidad de vida y factores asociados de empleados jubilados por invalidez de universidades públicas

Abstract Objective: to analyze quality of life and factors associated among public university employees retired due to disabilities. Method: a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of public university employees retired due to disabilities. A characterization questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities instrument were applied via telephone or online contacts from November 2019 to September 2020. The associated factors were verified through multiple linear regression. Results: of the 80 retirees due to disability, 15% were professors and 85% had a technical-administrative career. As for the factors associated with Quality of Life, continuous medication use (βadj: -0.25; p=0.02) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05) were associated with the Overall domain; continuous medication use (βadj: -0.23; p=0.04), to the Physical domain; smoking (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05) and mental and behavioral disorders (βadj: -0.21; p<0.01), to the Psychological domain; smoking (βadj: -0.46; p<0.01) and respiratory (βadj: -0.21; p=0.03) and circulatory (βadj: -0.21; p=0.03) problems, to the Social domain; smoking (βadj: -0.33; p<0.01) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.22; p=0.04), to the Environmental domain; mental and behavioral disorders, to the Disabilities module (βadj: -0.29; p<0.01) and to the Discrimination domain (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05); and smoking (βadj: -0.32; p<0.01) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.20; p<0.05), to the Inclusion domain. The Autonomy domain did not present any association. Conclusion: the retirees under study presented impaired Quality of Life.

Resumo Objetivo: analisar a qualidade de vida e os fatores associados entre servidores de universidades públicas aposentados por invalidez. Método: estudo transversal, com amostra de servidores aposentados por invalidez de universidades públicas. Um questionário de caracterização e o World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities foram aplicados por contato telefônico ou online no período de novembro de 2019 a setembro de 2020. Verificaram-se os fatores associados por regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: dos 80 aposentados por invalidez, 15% eram docentes e 85% da carreira técnica-administrativa. Quanto aos fatores associados à qualidade de vida, o uso de medicação contínua (βaj: -0,25; p=0,02) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) associaram-se ao domínio Overall; o uso de medicação contínua (βaj: -0,23; p=0,04) ao domínio físico; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) e os transtornos mentais e comportamentais (βaj: -0,21; p<0,01) ao domínio psicológico; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,46; p<0,01), os problemas respiratórios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) e circulatórios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) ao domínio social; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,33; p<0,01) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,22; p=0,04) ao domínio ambiental; os transtornos mentais e comportamentais ao módulo incapacidades (βaj: -0,29; p<0,01) e ao domínio discriminação (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05); o tabagismo (βaj: -0,32; p<0,01) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,20; p<0,05) ao domínio inclusão. O domínio autonomia não apresentou associação. Conclusão: os aposentados estudados apresentaram uma qualidade de vida prejudicada.

Resumen Objetivo: analizar la calidad de vida y los factores asociados de empleados de universidades públicas jubilados por invalidez. Método: estudio transversal, con una muestra de trabajadores jubilados por invalidez de universidades públicas. Se aplicó un cuestionario de caracterización y el World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities mediante contacto telefónico u online desde noviembre de 2019 hasta septiembre de 2020. Los factores asociados se verificaron mediante regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: de los 80 jubilados por invalidez, el 15% era docente y el 85% era técnico-administrativo. En cuanto a los factores asociados a la calidad de vida, el uso continuo de medicamentos (βaj: -0,25; p=0,02) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) se asociaron al dominio overall; el uso continuo de medicamentos (βaj: -0,23; p=0,04) el dominio físico; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) y los trastornos mentales y conductuales (βaj: -0,21; p<0,01) al dominio psicológico; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,46; p<0,01), los problemas respiratorios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) y circulatorios (βaj:-0,21;p=0,03) al dominio social; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,33; p<0,01) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,22; p=0,04) al dominio ambiental; los trastornos mentales y conductuales al módulo discapacidad (βaj: -0,29; p<0,01) y al dominio discriminación (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05); el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,32; p<0,01) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,20; p<0,05) al dominio inclusión. El dominio autonomía no mostró asociación. Conclusión: la calidad de vida de los jubilados por invalidez que participaron del estudio estaba deteriorada.

Riding the tides: Directions in mental health rehabilitation in NSW.

OBJECTIVE: This paper outlines the evolution of mental health rehabilitation in NSW, where allocation of health resources has repeatedly contradicted the policy intention to reorient services from inpatient to community-based services, leaving community rehabilitation the poor and disconnected cousin of inpatient services. The expanding role of community-managed organisations (CMOs) in psychosocial rehabilitation, the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and emerging service models have helped foster a maturing housing and social care environment, but present reality and the integration of health and social care services remains at a distance from best evidence practice. CONCLUSION: The challenge of the next decade of mental health reform is to embrace and consolidate greater service diversity and complexity. Understanding what factors influenced present reality is important in providing guardrails for the future, enabling the current wave of renewal and reinvestment in NSW to build on the strengths of past developments and steer a course around their weaknesses.

Has the opening of Amazon fulfillment centers affected demand for disability insurance?

An estimated 17.6% of blue-collar, manufacturing jobs were lost in the United States between 1970 and 2016. These jobs, often union-represented, provided relatively generous pay and benefits, creating a path to the middle class for individuals without a four-year college degree. Evidence suggests the closure of manufacturing facilities and resulting decline in economic opportunity increased demand for disability insurance (SSDI) among blue-collar workers. In recent years, the opening of Amazon Fulfillment Centers (FCs) has accelerated around the country, driving a wave of blue-collar job creation. We estimated the extent to which the opening of FCs affected SSDI application rates, including rates of approvals and denials, using a synthetic control group approach. We found that FC openings were associated with a 1.4% reduction in the SSDI application rate over the subsequent three years, translating to 5,528 fewer applications per year across commuting zones with an FC opening. Our findings are consistent with FC openings improving economic opportunities in local labor markets, though our confidence intervals were wide and included the null.