Burden of Sickness Absence Due to Chronic Disease in the Dutch Workforce from 2007 to 2011

Abstract

Chronic diseases result in substantial productivity loss due to sickness absence. Given the ageing population, the proposed increase in the state pension age and an increase in sedentary lifestyle and obesity, the prevalence of chronic diseases may be expected to rise. Coordinated efforts to maintain and improve the health of the working population are necessary to minimize socioeconomic consequences.

Lost productivity among military personnel with cardiovascular disease

“…The average number of days absent from work due to CVD was 3.049 days over a 3-month period. This is less than for comparable civilian studies 14 15. Half of the participants in our study reported that CVD affected their job performance, with the average productivity reduction approximately 8 hours per week.…”

The relationship between chronic conditions and absenteeism and associated costs in Canada

“…There is a lack of consensus about the type and structure of effective workplace accommodations for employees with chronic conditions such as musculoskeletal or mental disorders (33)(34)(35). In the literature, only a few studies measured the incremental associations of different chronic conditions with absent workdays or estimated the incremental productivity loss (17)(18)(19)(20). Mood disorders or depression (17)(18)(19)(20), cancer (17)(18)(19), COPD or bronchitis (17,19), and heart disease (17,18,20) have consistently been associated with the largest incremental productivity loss per employee.…”

“…Mood disorders or depression (17)(18)(19)(20), cancer (17)(18)(19), COPD or bronchitis (17,19), and heart disease (17,18,20) have consistently been associated with the largest incremental productivity loss per employee. This is despite different definitions on absent workdays, settings [Canada versus the United States (17)(18)(19) and Netherlands (20)], and definitions and number of chronic conditions included.…”

“…Due to different settings, populations, measures and methods, estimates of absent workdays and the associated productivity loss due to a health condition from different studies vary widely and may not be comparable. While there is research that has compared sickness absence workdays across different health conditions, very few studies have been able to assess the extent to which sickness absence could be attributed to certain chronic conditions (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). In 2010, the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) "loss of productivity module" asked employed respondents to report the number of missed workdays due to health problems as well as their chronic conditions (21).…”

Integrated Employee Occupational Health and Organizational-Level Registered Nurse Outcomes

“…[33][34][35] Results from a recent survey indicated that indirect costs (eg, days missed at work) were approximately four times higher for individuals with chronic disease than for those without. 36 Thus, efforts to invest in health integration may help improve organizational performance by helping employees stay on the job and continue to provide high levels of service.…”