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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2282/1124
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| Title: | Comparison of self-reported and register data on sickness absence among Norwegian patients participating in an occupational rehabilitation program |
| Authors: | Øyeflaten, Irene
Lie, Stein Atle
Ihlebæk, Camilla
Brage, Søren
Eriksen, Hege R. |
| Issue Date: | 2009 |
| Publishers version: | http://www.ntnu.no/ojs/index.php/norepid/article/view/586 |
| Abstract: | Background: Sick leave and return to work are common outcome variables in studies where the aim is to
measure the effect of targeted interventions for individuals that are on sick leave benefits or other allowances.
Use of official register data is often restricted, and research on sick leave and return to work are often
based on the participants self-reports. However, there is insufficient documentation that there is agreement
between self-reports and register data on sick leave benefits and allowances.
Aims: The aim of this study was to analyse the individuals’ knowledge about states of sick leave benefits or
allowances compared with register data from The Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) in Norway.
Method: 153 individuals, sick-listed or on allowances, participated in a 4-week inpatient occupational rehabilitation
program. 132 (86%) answered a questionnaire on assessments of work, sick leave, and allowances
three months after completed rehabilitation. Self-reported data were compared with register data from NAV
according to four categories: working, sick-listed, on medical/vocational rehabilitation allowance or disability
pension. Agreement between self-reported and register data was evaluated in cross-tabulations and
reported with kappa values. Stratified analyses were done for gender, age, education, medical diagnosis and
length of sick leave/allowances at baseline.
Results: Good agreement was found for medical/vocational rehabilitation allowance (kappa=.70) and disability
pension (kappa=.65). Moderate agreement was found for working (kappa=.49) and fair agreement for
sick-listed (kappa=.36). Stratified analyses showed significant better kappa values for individuals that had
been sick-listed less than 12 months before entering the rehabilitation program.
Conclusions: Agreements from good to fair were found between self-reported and official register data on
sick leave. However, official register data is preferred in research because this will ensure complete data
sets. Data on sick leave and other benefits are not absorbing states, and there are often multiple and recurrent
episodes. These data may be hard to obtain from self-reports. |
| Keywords: | Rehabilitation
Return to work
Sick leave benefits |
| Publisher: | Norsk epidemiologi |
| Document type: | Journal article |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2282/1124 |
| Appears in Collections: | Publiserte artiklar
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