Dataset Information

Influence of lifestyle risk factors on work ability and sick leave in a general working population in Norway: a 5-year longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The aim of this study is to assess (1) whether lifestyle risk factors are related to work ability and sick leave in a general working population over time, and (2) these associations within specific disease groups (ie, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and mental illness).

Setting

Telemark county, in the south-eastern part of Norway.

Design

Longitudinal study with 5 years follow-up.

Participants

The Telemark study is a longitudinal study of the general working population in Telemark county, Norway, aged 16 to 50 years at baseline in 2013 (n=7952) and after 5-year follow-up.

Outcome measure

Self-reported information on work ability (moderate and poor) and sick leave (short-term and long-term) was assessed at baseline, and during a 5-year follow-up.

Results

Obesity (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.05) and smoking (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.35 to 1.96) were associated with long-term sick leave and, less strongly, with short-term sick leave. An unhealthy diet (OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.43), and smoking (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.24 to 2.25) were associated with poor work ability and, to a smaller extent, with moderate work ability. A higher lifestyle risk score was associated with both sick leave and reduced work ability. Only few associations were found between unhealthy lifestyle factors and sick leave or reduced work ability within disease groups.

Conclusion

Lifestyle risk factors were associated with sick leave and reduced work ability. To evaluate these associations further, studies assessing the effect of lifestyle interventions on sick leave and work ability are needed.

SUBMITTER: De Bortoli MM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7925900 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Influence of lifestyle risk factors on work ability and sick leave in a general working population in Norway: a 5-year longitudinal study.

De Bortoli Marit Müller MM Oellingrath Inger M IM Fell Anne Kristin Moeller AKM Burdorf Alex A Robroek Suzan J W SJW

BMJ open 20210205 2

<h4>Objectives</h4>The aim of this study is to assess (1) whether lifestyle risk factors are related to work ability and sick leave in a general working population over time, and (2) these associations within specific disease groups (ie, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and mental illness).<h4>Setting</h4>Telemark county, in the south-eastern part of Norway.<h4>Design</h4>Longitudinal study with 5 years follow-up.<h4>Participants</h4>The Telemark study is a longitudinal ...[more]

PMID: 33550269

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between multiple lifestyle-related risk factors (unhealthy diet, low leisure-time physical activity, overweight/obesity and smoking) and self-rated work ability in a general working population.SettingPopulation-based cross-sectional study, in Telemark County, Norway, 2013.ParticipantsA random sample of 50 000 subjects was invited to answer a self-administered questionnaire and 16 099 responded. Complete data on lifestyle and work ability were obtained for 10 355 participants aged 18-50 years all engaged in paid work during the preceding 12 months.Outcome measureWork ability was assessed using the Work Ability Score (WAS)-the first question in the Work Ability Index. To study the association between multiple lifestyle risk factors and work ability, a lifestyle risk index was constructed and relationships examined using multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsLow work ability was more likely among subjects with an unhealthy diet (ORadj 1.3, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.5), inactive persons (ORadj 1.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.6), obese respondents (ORadj 1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.7) and former and current smokers (ORadj 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4 and 1.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5, respectively). An additive relationship was observed between the lifestyle risk index and the likelihood of decreased work ability (moderate-risk score: ORadj 1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6; high-risk score: ORadj 1.9; 95% CI 1.6 to 2.2; very high risk score: ORadj 2.4; 95% CI 1.9 to 3.0). The overall population attributable fraction (PAF) of low work ability based on the overall risk index was 38%, while the PAFs of physical activity, smoking, body mass index and diet were 16%, 11%, 11% and 6%, respectively.ConclusionsLifestyle risk factors were associated with low work ability. An additive relationship was observed. The findings are considered relevant to occupational intervention programmes aimed at prevention and improvement of decreased work ability.

Project description:BackgroundWork-life interference has been associated with adverse health outcomes. Here, we quantify the association between work-life interference and subsequent sick leave.MethodsRespondents from a randomly drawn cohort of the general working Norwegian population were interviewed in 2009, 2013 and/or 2016. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to assess prospective associations of self-reported work-life interference and risk of subsequent physician-certified sick leave of 1-16 days (low-level) and >16 days (high-level) in strata of men and women. To quantify the importance of work-life interference as risk factors for sick leave, we estimated the population attributable risk (PAR).ResultsBoth low- and high-level sick leave were most prevalent among women while the prevalence of work-life interference was similar between sexes. Risk of sick leave was higher among women reporting work-life interference sometimes or often in comparison with seldom or never {low- and high-level sick leave odds ratio (OR) = 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-1.37] and 1.30 (95% CI = 1.14-1.49), respectively}. The associations for high-level sick leave progressively increased with the level of work-life interference [highest OR = 1.44 (95% CI = 1.19-1.75)]. In men, there was no consistent higher risk of sick leave according to more frequent work-life interference [low- and high-level sick leave OR = 1.00 (95% CI = 0.87-1.14) and 0.98 (95% CI = 0.84-1.16), respectively], but the risk of high-level sick leave tended to be higher among men reporting work-life interference often (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 0.98-1.50). Estimating PAR, 6.69% (95% CI = 1.52-11.74) of low-level and 9.94% (95% CI = 4.22-15.45) of high-level sick leave could be attributed to work-life interference among women.ConclusionsSelf-reported work-life interference was associated with a higher risk of sick leave, with the most consistent results among women.

Project description:BackgroundStudying the relationship between work-related stress and sick leave is valuable in identifying and assessing employees at risk of sick leave, but also in developing interventions and taking actions for workers' health. The overall aim of this study was to analyse the association between work-related stress, measured with the work stress questionnaire (WSQ), and registered sick leave in a working population seeking care at primary health care centres in Sweden.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study was performed with 232 employed patients aged 18-64 years seeking care for mental and/or physical health complaints at seven primary health care centres. Bivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for educational level, occupational class and marital status was performed using questionnaire data on work-related stress and sociodemographic factors collected between May 2015 until January 2016 together with registered sick leave data from a national database.ResultsHigh stress due to indistinct organization and conflicts was reported by 21% (n = 49), while 45% (n = 105) reported high stress due to individual demands and commitment. Thirty-six percent were on sick leave for 15 days or more during 12 months after baseline. The odds of being on registered sick leave during this period was approximately twice as high for patients perceiving high stress due to indistinct organization and conflicts (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.18;4.26), high stress due to individual demands and commitment (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.28;3.82), low influence at work (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.20;3.57), or high interference between work and leisure time (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.27;3.80). Perceiving high stress due to both indistinct organization and conflicts as well as individual demands and commitment quadrupled the odds of sick leave, OR 4.15 (95% CI 1.84; 9.38).ConclusionsWork-related stress and sick leave were prevalent among the patients. Perceiving one or more of the work-related stressors and stress increased the odds of registered sick leave between two to four times. Hence, to capture the dynamic interaction between the individual and the work environment, a wide spectrum of factors must be considered. In addition, primary health care could be a suitable arena for preventing sick leave due to work-related stress.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02480855 . Registered 20 May 2015.

Project description:BackgroundDepression is among the most frequent reasons for sick leave, whereas health authorities recommend a rather strict practice, arguing that work is health-promoting. We aimed to explore GPs' attitudes and practices regarding sick leave certification for depressed patients.MethodsA cross-sectional study using the Norwegian Physician Survey (N = 1617, 70% response rate) in 2021. The GPs in the panel (N = 221) responded to questions about sick leave certification and cooperation with employers and the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (Norwegian acronym: Nav) regarding patients with depression. We used crosstabulation with chi square statistics and logistic regression models to assess differences among GPs.ResultsAmong 221 GPs, 62% often/very often perceived patients' questions for sick leave certification as the main reason for encountering. A total of 46% often/very often considered patients' expectations inappropriate, with female GPs more frequently than male GPs (36% vs 56%, p = 0.005) and younger GPs more frequently than their older counterparts (p < 0.001). Although 68% considered sick leave as part of treatment, only 16% often/very often initiated sick leave unless patients raised the question. Sixty-seven percent of GPs reported to often/very often avoid sick listing, if possible, more females than males. GPs who often/very often considered questions for sick leave inappropriate less often considered sick leave as part of treatment (odds ratio (OR): 0.25; 95% CI: 0.13-0.49), and less often report a well-functioning cooperation with Nav (OR:0.37; 95% CI:0.14-0.96). GPs who often/very often considered sick leave as part of treatment more often proposed sick leave for their patients (OR:4.70; 96% CI 1.57-14.01) and reported a less strict approach to sick listing (OR: 40; 95% CI: 0.20-0.79). Ninety-five percent of the GPs rarely/never had direct contact with patients' employers, whereas 92% often/very often asked patients about their dialogue with the workplace. Eighty-eight percent of the GPs often/very often experienced cooperation with NAV as good, and 87% often/very often felt trusted by them.ConclusionsMost GPs reported a strict attitude towards sick leave for depression, whereas one-third had a less strict approach. Different perceptions of the appropriateness of sick listing indicate variations in treatment and access to social security benefits.

Dataset Information

Influence of lifestyle risk factors on work ability and sick leave in a general working population in Norway: a 5-year longitudinal study.

Objectives

Setting

Design

Participants

Outcome measure

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Influence of lifestyle risk factors on work ability and sick leave in a general working population in Norway: a 5-year longitudinal study.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets