Predicting long-term sickness absence and early retirement pension from self-reported work ability

Objective The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between self-reported work ability and long-term term of sickness absence or early retirement from the labour market. Methods Data on work ability were retrieved from a representative cohort study of Danish wage earners and linked with a register of social payment transfers. In all, 4.743 individuals were followed from 2001 to 2005. Cox regression was used for the analyses. Results A one point decrease in perceived work ability, on a 10 point scale, was associated with an increased risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA) of 15.1% (95% CI 12-19%, P < 0.0001) and an increased risk of early retirement from the labour market of 33% (95% CI 20-48%, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Reports of reduced work ability were significantly associated with both an increased risk of onset of LTSA and early retirement from the labour market, after adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle variables.