Time trend analysis of return to work after stroke in Denmark 1996–2006

• Authors: Harald Hannerz , Ole S. Mortensen , Otto M. Poulsen , Frank Humle , Betina H. Pedersen , Lars L. Andersen

Abstracts

EN

Background: In the period 1997–2005, the Danish government initiated a series of legislative changes aimed at facilitating RTW (return to work) in the Danish population. In the present study, we investigated the odds of being gainfully occupied ca. two years after stroke as a function of onset calendar year, 1996–2006. Methods: All previously employed 20–57 year-old stroke patients in Denmark 1996–2006 (N = 19 985) were followed prospectively through national registers. The analysis was controlled for the type of stroke and a series of demographic, structural and occupational variables. Results: The odds for RTW increased significantly during the study period (P < 0.0001). The odds at the end of the period were more than twice as high as they were at the beginning, even after post hoc control for improved survival and decreased unemployment rates. The most conspicuous increase coincided with a change in the sickness benefit act that took place in 2005. Conclusion: The study provides quite strong circumstantial evidence that the legislative changes had an effect on the odds of return to work after stroke. More direct evidence is desirable, but such can only be obtained through a randomized controlled study.

Keywords

EN

cerebrovascular disease; health policy; disability retirement scheme; sickness benefit legislation; subsidized employment

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2012
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 200-204

Dates

published

2012

Contributors

author

Harald Hannerz

• National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark

author

Ole S. Mortensen

• Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

author

Otto M. Poulsen

• National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark

author

Frank Humle

• Centre of Rehabilitation of Brain Injury, Copenhagen, Denmark

author

Betina H. Pedersen

• National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark

author

Lars L. Andersen

• National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/S13382-012-0017-7

Biblioteka Nauki

2180104