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Diabetes comorbidities impact work disability
Mental, musculoskeletal and circulatory diseases, in addition to nervous system diseases and injuries, all increase the risk for work disability is adults with diabetes when compared with adults who do not have diabetes, according to research in Diabetes Care.
Marianna Virtanen, MD, of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki, Finland, and colleagues analyzed data from 14,098 adults aged 25 to 59 years (mean age, 49 years; 58% men) diagnosed with diabetes between Jan. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2006, compared with a random sample of 39.056 adults without a diagnosis of diabetes aged 25 to 59 years (mean age, 42 years; 50% men). Researchers analyzed data from the National Social Insurance Agency for sickness absences and disability pensions within the cohort between 2007 and 2010.
Among adults with and without diabetes, mental disorders were the most common cause of excess work disability, with an unadjusted average of 30.5 days per year among those with diabetes, compared with 12.5 days per year for adults without diabetes. Adults with diabetes lost an average of 29.4 days per year due to musculoskeletal diseases, compared with 11.4 days per year lost for those without diabetes. Those with diabetes lost an average of 9.3 days per year due to disease of the circulatory system; those without diabetes lost an average of 1.3 days per year.
Diagnosis of diabetes as the cause of work disability was rare, according to researchers. The highest rate of work disability was found among adults with diabetes who lived alone and a mental health disorders, followed by adults with diabetes born outside of Sweden and had mental health or musculoskeletal disease.
“This study demonstrates that diabetes is associated with higher levels of work disability owing to comorbid diseases, particularly mental disorders, musculoskeletal diseases and circulatory disease,” the researchers wrote. “The most vulnerable groups were found among individuals who had mental or musculoskeletal disorders and lived alone, were immigrants or were single parents.”
“For the management of diabetes and the prevention of work disability among people with diabetes, it is highly important to monitor comorbid conditions and pay attention to the most vulnerable socioeconomic groups,” the researchers wrote. – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.