Objective — To examine different sick-leave measures used in sickness absence research, and to suggest a systematic way of assessing sickness absence.
Methods — A review and analysis of five major studies on sick-leave performed 1983—1988 with an epidemiological approach.
Results — Terminology and measures used varied in the different studies reviewed. The choice of a certain measure was seldom discussed in relation to the aim of the study. Based on the review five measures are suggested: frequency, length, incidence rate, cumulative incidence and duration. The definition of incidence rate is new and is a measure useful in studies of recurrent events within epidemiology. Conclusions — We have reviewed sick-leave measures previously used in the literature and suggested five basic measures for assessing sick-leave.
Alexanderson K., Leijon M., Åkerlind I., Rydh H., Bjurulf P.Epidemiology of Sickness Absence in a Swedish County in 1985, 1986 and 1987. Scand J Soc Med1994(1): 27—34.
2.
Hensing G., Alexanderson K., Bjurulf P.Psychiatric sick-leave: women are more often sick-listed while men have longer spells. Br J Psych1996(169): 740—6.
3.
Isacsson A., Hanson BS, Janzon L., Kugelberg G.The epidemiology of sick leave in an urban population in Malmö, Sweden . Scand J Soc Med1992; 20(4): 234—9.
4.
Marmot M., Feeney A., Shipley M., North F., Syme SLSickness absence as a measure of health status and functioning: from the UK Whitehall II study. J Epidemiol Community Health1995; 49: 124—30.
5.
McKeown KD, Furness JASickness absence patterns of 5000 NHS staff employed within Northallerton and South west Durham health authorities. J Soc Occup Med1987; 37: 111—16.
Alexanderson K.Sickness absence with special reference to age, occupation, gender, sex-integration and pregnancy. Medical Dissertation, no. 734, Linköping university; 1995.
8.
Breaugh JAPredicting Absenteeism From Prior Absenteeism and Work Attitudes. J Applied Psychology1981; 66(5): 555—60.
9.
Kristensen TSSickness Absence and Work Strain among Danish Slaughterhouse Workers: An Analysis of Absence from Work regarded as Coping Behaviour. Soc Sci Med1991; 32(1): 15—27.
10.
Hensing G., Spak F., Alexanderson K., Allebeck P.Sick-leave among women and the role of psychiatric disorder. ScJ Soc Med1997; 25(3): 185—92.
11.
Reidy A.Questioning the status quo: sickness absence research so far claims more than it should!Soc Sci Med1990; 31(4): 421—32.
12.
North F., Syme SL, Feeney A., Head J., Shipley MJ, Marmot MGExplaining socioeconomic differences in sickness absence: the Whitehall II study. BMJ1993; 306: 361—6.
13.
Gaudet FJSolving the problems of employee absence. New York : AMA; 1963.
14.
Tellnes G.Sickness certification in general practice: A review. Fam Pract1989(6): 58—65.
15.
Muchinsky P.Employee Absenteeism: A Review of the Literature . J Vocational Behavior1977(10): 316—40.
16.
Chevalier A. , Luce D., Blanc C., Goldberg M.Sickness absence at the French National Electric and Gas Company. Br J Ind Med1987(44): 101—10.
17.
Nicholson N. , Johns G.The Absence Culture and the Psychological Contract — Who's in Control of Absence?Academy of Management Review1985; 10(3): 397—407.
18.
Tellnes G., Bruusgaard D., Sandvik L.Occupational Factors in Sickness Certification. Scand J Prim Health Care1990(8): 37—44.
19.
Taylor PJSome International Trends in Sickness Absence 1950—68. BMJ1969; 4: 705—7.
20.
Miettinen OSTheoretical epidemiology. Albany, New York: Delmar Publishers Inc.; 1985.
21.
Rael Egs, Stansfeld SA, Shipley M., Head J., Feeney A., Marmot M.Sickness absence the Whitehall II study, London : the role of social support and material problems. J Epidemiol Community Health1995; 49: 474—81.
22.
Marmot MG, North F., Feeney A., Head J.Alcohol consumption and sickness absence: from the Whitehall II study. Addiction1993; 88: 369—82.
23.
Stansfeld S. , Feeney A., Head J., Canner R., North F., Marmot M.Sickness absence for psychiatric illness: the Whitehall II study. Soc Sci Med1995; 40(2): 189—97.
24.
Bjurulf P.Rörelseorganens sjukdomar och deras samhällseffekt inom olika yrkesgrupper. (In Swedish) (Illness in the locomotor apparatus and the consequences for society. In: Faresjö T, ed. Arbetsvillkor, yrke och ohälsa i Östergötland. (Working conditions, occupation and illness in Östergötland). Linköping: Östergötlands läns landsting; 1996.
25.
Björndal A.Oppfölging av langtidssykmeldte. En undersökelse av en kohort fra Moss kommune. (In Norwegian) (A follow-up of long-term sickness absence. A cohort study from Moss municipality). Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen1994; 24(114): 2857—62.
26.
Hensing G., Alexanderson K., Åkerlind I., Bjurulf P.Sick-leave due to minor psychiatric morbidity: role of sex integration . Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol1995 ; 30(1): 39—43.
27.
North F., Syme SL, Feeney A., Shipley M., Marmot M.Psychosocial Work Environment and Sickness Absence among British Civil Servants: The Whitehall II Study. Am J Public Health.1996; 86: 332—40.
28.
Rothman KJModern epidemiology. Boston/ Toronto : Little, Brown and Company; 1986 .
29.
Beaglehole R., Bonita R., Kjellström T.Basic Epidemiology. World Health Organization; 1993.
30.
Åkerlind I. , Alexanderson K., Hensing G., Leijon M., Rydh H., Bjurulf P.Sex-Differences in Sickness Absence in Relation to Parental Status. Scand J Soc Med1996; 24(1): 27—35.
31.
Alexanderson K., Hensing G., Leijon M., et al. Pregnancy-related sickness absence in a Swedish county in 1985, 1986 and 1987. J Epidemiol Community Health1994(48): 464—70.
32.
Alexanderson K., Sydsjö A., Hensing G., Sydsjö G., Carstensen J.Impact of Pregnancy on Sex-differences in Sickness Absence. Scand J Soc Med1996 (24): 3; 169—76.
33.
Alexanderson K., Hensing G., Carstensson J., Bjurulf P.Pregnancy-Related Sickness Absence among Employed Women. Scand J of Work, Environment & Health1995; 21: 191—8.
34.
Tellnes G.Days Lost by Sickness Certification. Scand J Prim Health Care1989(7): 245—51.
35.
Permanent Commission and InternationalAssociation on Occupational Health. Sub-committee on Absenteeism: Draft recommendations. Br J Industr Med1973; 30: 402—3.
36.
Tellnes G., Svendsen K-O B., Bruusgaard D., Bjerkedal T.Incidence of Sickness Certification. Scand J Prim Health Care1989; 7: 111—7.
37.
Tellnes G.Duration of Episodes of Sickness Certification. Scand J Prim Health Care1989; 7: 237—44.
Tellnes G.Sickness Certification — an Epidemiological Study Related to Community Medicine and General Practice. Medical Dissertation, Oslo University; 1990.
40.
Hensing G.Sickness absence and psychiatric disorder —epidemiological findings and methodological considerations. Medical Dissertation, no. 521, Linköping University; 1997.
