Physically Demanding Situations as Predictors of Disability Pensioning with Soft Tissue Rheumatism Among Persons 30-39 Years Old in Norway, 1981-90

HILDE H. HOLTE, KRISTIAN TAMBS, and TOR BJERKEDAL

ABSTRACT.

Objective. Physically demanding work is a predictor of disability pensioning with musculoskeletal diseases. Being a parent is probably also physically demanding. Having manual work and being a parent will be analyzed as possible predictors of becoming a disability pensioner with soft tissue rheumatism (DPSTR) after controlling for level of education, employment, number of hours worked, income, age, sex, and marital status.

Methods. In this prospective study based on census data of persons 30-39 years old in 1980, predictors of becoming DPSTR during the followup period 1981-90 were identified by logistic regression analysis.

Results. Manual work was a predictor for becoming DPSTR for both men and women, while being a parent was neither a risk factor nor a protective factor for becoming DPSTR. Being employed was a predictor of becoming DPSTR for married women, but a protective factor for unmarried women and all men. Low level of education and being married or divorced were predictors of becoming DPSTR for both men and women. Working part time and having low income were predictors of becoming DPSTR among men.

Conclusion. Physically demanding employment, but not a physically demanding private life, predicts becoming DPSTR. This may reflect that factors concerning a patient's private life are not taken into account when evaluating whether or not a disability pension should be granted, at least not for patients with uncertain medical conditions. (J Rheumatol 2002;29:1760-6)

Key Indexing Terms:

DISABILITY PENSION
SOFT TISSUE RHEUMATISM
MANUAL WORK
PARENTHOOD
PROSPECTIVE STUDY
MULTIVARIATE LOGISTIC REGRESSION

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From the Section for Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, and the National Insurance Administration, Oslo, Norway.

Supported by the Norwegian Research Council and the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.

H.H. Holte, MA in Sociology, Research Fellow, National Insurance Administration; K. Tambs, PhD, Professor, Section for Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health; T. Bjerkedal, MD, MPH, PhD, Professor Emeritus, National Insurance Administration.

Address reprint requests to Dr. H.H. Holte, National Insurance Administration, Drammensvn. 60, 0241 Oslo, Norway.

Submitted July 24, 2001; revision accepted February 22, 2002.

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