Risk factors for temporary work disability

Abstract

Introduction. The relationship among labor difficulties and psychiatric disorders is important and bidirectional. However, current information about the influence of psychiatric disorders in temporary work disability in Spain is inconclusive. For this reason, we aimed to describe the prevalence of the conclusions of psychiatric expert’s reports including maintain o revoke the temporary disability (TD). We also aimed to compare sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic variables according with the decision of maintain or revoke this condition.

Methodology. A descriptive study was conducted in psychiatric patients that were examined by psychiatric experts during one year. At the examination time, the patients had a sick leave mean of 5 months. The psychiatric experts assessed their ability to work according to the interference of the psychiatric symptoms.

Results. A total of 380 patients were included (66.8% women, 42±10.9 years), 87.9% had a result of revoke the temporary work disability. No sociodemographic or therapeutic factors were associated with the continuity of sick leave. The most common diagnosis of patients who obtained a revoked temporary work disability was adjustment disorder (66.2% vs 13%, p=0.001) and patients who maintained the temporary work disability was major depressive disorder (45.7% vs 3.9%, p=0.001).

Conclusions. After a psychiatric expert’s examination the most of the results suggest to revoke the temporary work disability. Major depressive disorder is the most commonly diagnostic associated to continue sick leave.