BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders are known to cause long-term disability, although not much is known about long-term consequences of milder forms of psychological distress. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between increasing levels of psychological distress and 5-year risk of long-term disability pensions awarded for somatic or psychiatric conditions. METHODS: In this longitudinal population-based study, a cohort of 17,205 individuals, aged 18-64 years, recruited in 2002 in Stockholm County was prospectively followed up for new disability pension awards. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure baseline psychological distress, and participants were categorised as having no, mild, moderate or severe psychological distress (GHQ-12 scores of 0; 1-2; 3-7 and 8-12, respectively). Details of new disability pension awards were obtained through record linkage with the Swedish National Insurance register. Comprehensive information on a range of sociodemographic, lifestyle and health characteristics was available. RESULTS: Increasing levels of psychological distress at baseline were associated with an increased likelihood of obtaining a disability pension later in life. Even mild psychological distress was independently associated with the award of a disability pension for both somatic (HR=1.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.2) and psychiatric diagnoses (2.2; 1.4 to 3.6). Over a quarter of disability pensions awarded for a somatic diagnosis, and almost two-thirds awarded for a psychiatric diagnosis, could be attributed to psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Mild psychological distress may be associated with more long-term disability than previously acknowledged and its public health importance may be underestimated.
BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders are known to cause long-term disability, although not much is known about long-term consequences of milder forms of psychological distress. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between increasing levels of psychological distress and 5-year risk of long-term disability pensions awarded for somatic or psychiatric conditions. METHODS: In this longitudinal population-based study, a cohort of 17,205 individuals, aged 18-64 years, recruited in 2002 in Stockholm County was prospectively followed up for new disability pension awards. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure baseline psychological distress, and participants were categorised as having no, mild, moderate or severe psychological distress (GHQ-12 scores of 0; 1-2; 3-7 and 8-12, respectively). Details of new disability pension awards were obtained through record linkage with the Swedish National Insurance register. Comprehensive information on a range of sociodemographic, lifestyle and health characteristics was available. RESULTS: Increasing levels of psychological distress at baseline were associated with an increased likelihood of obtaining a disability pension later in life. Even mild psychological distress was independently associated with the award of a disability pension for both somatic (HR=1.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.2) and psychiatric diagnoses (2.2; 1.4 to 3.6). Over a quarter of disability pensions awarded for a somatic diagnosis, and almost two-thirds awarded for a psychiatric diagnosis, could be attributed to psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Mild psychological distress may be associated with more long-term disability than previously acknowledged and its public health importance may be underestimated.
Authors: Magdalena I Tolea; Luigi Ferrucci; Paul T Costa; Kimberly Faulkner; Caterina Rosano; Suzanne Satterfield; Hilsa N Ayonayon; Eleanor M Simonsick Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2012-03-20 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Kyriaki Kosidou; Clara Hellner-Gumpert; Peeter Fredlund; Christina Dalman; Johan Hallqvist; Göran Isacsson; Cecilia Magnusson Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-10-03 Impact factor: 3.240