Sickness absence and disability pension due to otoaudiological diagnoses: risk of premature death – a nationwide prospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundIt is estimated that hearing difficulties will be one of the top ten leading burdens of disease by 2030. Knowledge of mortality among individuals on sick leave or disability pension due to hearing diagnoses is virtually non-existent. We aimed prospectively to examine the associations of diagnosis-specific sick leave and disability pension due to different otoaudiological diagnoses with risks of all-cause and cause-specific mortality.MethodsA cohort, based on Swedish registry data, including all 5 248 672 individuals living in Sweden in 2005, aged 20–64, and not on old-age pension, was followed through 2010. Otoaudiological diagnoses were placed in the following categories: otological, hearing, vertigo, and tinnitus. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models; individuals on sick leave or disability pension due to different otoaudiological diagnoses during 2005 were compared with those not on sick leave or disability pension.ResultsIn multivariable models, individuals with sickness absence due to otoaudiological diagnoses showed a lower risk of mortality, while individuals on disability pension due to otoaudiological diagnoses showed a 14% (95% CI 1-29%) increased risk of mortality, compared with individuals not on sick leave or disability pension. The risk increase among individuals on disability pension was largely attributable to otological (HR 1.56; 95% CI = 1.04-2.33) and hearing diagnoses (HR 1.20; 95% CI = 1.00-1.43).ConclusionThis large nationwide population-based cohort study suggests an increased risk of mortality among individuals on disability pension due to otoaudiological diagnoses.

Long‐Term Survival in 1,931 Patients With Dizziness: Disease‐ and Symptom‐Specific Mortality

“…Our main findings are consistent with those of a Swedish population‐based study that observed no increased mortality in patients on sick leave or disability pensions due to vestibular disorders 17 but are not in line with those in the NHIS study in which patients with dizziness or balance problems had twofold increased mortality 2 . Other studies have reported increased risks of stroke and vascular events among emergency department patients with dizziness 18–20 and hypertensive patients with recurrent vertigo 21 .…”

Studies on stigma regarding hearing impairment and hearing aid use among adults of working age: a scoping review

“…In a Swedish survey with more than 11 000 respondents, 31% of the working population and 36% of the non-working population reported hearing loss or tinnitus [22]. Particularly within the working population, hearing impairment is also burden to the economy as it is associated with high frequency of sick leave [23] and early retirement [24]. With respect to the low adherence rate for acquiring and/or using a hearing aid, although it would provide an easy and efficient treatment for the problem, there are consequences for the national economy by increasing the sustainability gap.…”

Influence of well-known risk factors for hearing loss in a longitudinal twin study

“…Tinnitus itself is a hidden health symptom and moderate to severe tinnitus affects about 16% of individuals with hearing loss [122]. Tinnitus and hearing loss also have a negative effect upon the quality of life of an individual [123] and cause an economic impact on the society with loss of individual productivity caused by sickness absence [124,125] and early retirement [48].…”

“…Moderate tinnitus may affect a person's daily life and/or sleep quality. Severe tinnitus does affect the person's daily life and sleep quality, which may cause stress, lack of sleep, and reduced working capacity, and in a worst case scenario lead to sick leave [124].…”