BACKGROUND: Recent studies based on self-reported data suggest that retirement may have beneficial effects on mental health, but studies using objective endpoints remain scarce. This study examines longitudinally the changes in antidepressant medication use across the 9 years spanning the transition to retirement. METHODS: Participants were Finnish public-sector employees: 7138 retired at statutory retirement age (76% women; mean age, 61.2 years), 1238 retired early due to mental health issues (78% women; mean age, 52.0 years), and 2643 retired due to physical health issues (72% women; mean age, 55.4 years). Information on purchase of antidepressant medication 4 years before and 4 years after retirement year was based on comprehensive national pharmacy records in 1994-2005. RESULTS: One year before retirement, the use of antidepressants was 4% among those who would retire at statutory age, 61% among those who would retire due to mental health issues, and 14% among those who would retire due to physical health issues. Retirement-related changes in antidepressant use depended on the reason for retirement. Among old-age retirees, antidepressant medication use decreased during the transition period (age- and calendar-year-adjusted prevalence ratio for antidepressant use 1 year after versus 1 year before retirement = 0.77 [95% confidence interval = 0.68 to 0.88]). Among those whose main reason for disability pension was mental health issues or physical health issues, there was an increasing trend in antidepressant use prior to retirement and, for mental health retirements, a decrease after retirement. CONCLUSIONS: Trajectories of recorded purchases of antidepressant medication are consistent with the hypothesis that retirement is beneficial for mental health.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies based on self-reported data suggest that retirement may have beneficial effects on mental health, but studies using objective endpoints remain scarce. This study examines longitudinally the changes in antidepressant medication use across the 9 years spanning the transition to retirement. METHODS: Participants were Finnish public-sector employees: 7138 retired at statutory retirement age (76% women; mean age, 61.2 years), 1238 retired early due to mental health issues (78% women; mean age, 52.0 years), and 2643 retired due to physical health issues (72% women; mean age, 55.4 years). Information on purchase of antidepressant medication 4 years before and 4 years after retirement year was based on comprehensive national pharmacy records in 1994-2005. RESULTS: One year before retirement, the use of antidepressants was 4% among those who would retire at statutory age, 61% among those who would retire due to mental health issues, and 14% among those who would retire due to physical health issues. Retirement-related changes in antidepressant use depended on the reason for retirement. Among old-age retirees, antidepressant medication use decreased during the transition period (age- and calendar-year-adjusted prevalence ratio for antidepressant use 1 year after versus 1 year before retirement = 0.77 [95% confidence interval = 0.68 to 0.88]). Among those whose main reason for disability pension was mental health issues or physical health issues, there was an increasing trend in antidepressant use prior to retirement and, for mental health retirements, a decrease after retirement. CONCLUSIONS: Trajectories of recorded purchases of antidepressant medication are consistent with the hypothesis that retirement is beneficial for mental health.
Authors: Hugo Westerlund; Mika Kivimäki; Archana Singh-Manoux; Maria Melchior; Jane E Ferrie; Jaana Pentti; Markus Jokela; Constanze Leineweber; Marcel Goldberg; Marie Zins; Jussi Vahtera Journal: Lancet Date: 2009-11-10 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Ronald C Kessler; Patricia Berglund; Olga Demler; Robert Jin; Doreen Koretz; Kathleen R Merikangas; A John Rush; Ellen E Walters; Philip S Wang Journal: JAMA Date: 2003-06-18 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Hugo Westerlund; Jussi Vahtera; Jane E Ferrie; Archana Singh-Manoux; Jaana Pentti; Maria Melchior; Constanze Leineweber; Markus Jokela; Johannes Siegrist; Marcel Goldberg; Marie Zins; Mika Kivimäki Journal: BMJ Date: 2010-11-23
Authors: Paula Salo; Jussi Vahtera; Jane E Ferrie; Tasnime Akbaraly; Marcel Goldberg; Marie Zins; Jaana Pentti; Marianna Virtanen; Martin J Shipley; Archana Singh-Manoux; Yves Dauvilliers; Mika Kivimaki Journal: Sleep Date: 2012-11-01 Impact factor: 5.849
Authors: Mika Kivimäki; G David Batty; Mark Hamer; Hermann Nabi; Maarit Korhonen; Risto Huupponen; Jaana Pentti; Tuula Oksanen; Ichiro Kawachi; Marianna Virtanen; Hugo Westerlund; Jussi Vahtera Journal: CMAJ Date: 2013-09-30 Impact factor: 8.262