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Table 1 Description of individual studies

From: Incidence rates of sickness absence related to mental disorders: a systematic literature review

Author(s)

Country

Study population

Data source

Year(s) of data

Diagnostic classification system used

Absence days to qualify for sickness absence benefit

Social democratic

Virtanen et al. [24]

FI

Participants from the Finnish Public Sector Study covering employees in 10 towns and 21 public hospitals in Finland; who were not on long-term sick leave or disability pension at the time of the survey; and who were employed for at least 6 months during the study between 1997-2005

Administrative data from the National Health Insurance, employer records and national health register records and the Finnish Public Sector Study

1997-2005

International Classification of Diseases,10th edition (ICD-10)

Long-term sickness absence = sickness absence of ≥ 90 days

Roelen et al. [28]

NL

Employees of firms who were clients of an occupational health services provider from 2001-2007

Administrative sickness absence data from ArboNed

2001-2007

ICD-10

Sickness absence: absence of ≥ 28 sick days requiring a medical certificate from an occupational physician

Koopmans et al. [26]

NL

Dutch Post and Telecommunication employees from 2001-2007

Administrative sickness absence data from ArboNed

2001-2007

ICD-10

Sick leaves of > 3 weeks require a medical certificate from an occupational physician

Roelen et al. [27]

NL

Dutch Post and Telecommunication employees from 2001-2007

Administrative sickness absence data from ArboNed

2001-2007

ICD-10

Sick leaves of > 3 weeks require a medical certificate from an occupational physician

Roelen et al. [29]

NL

Employees covered in a sickness absence benefit program from 2001-2010

Administrative sickness absence data

2001-2010

ICD-10

Sickness absence = absence of > 3 weeks requiring a medical certificate from an occupational physician

Hensing et al. [25]

NO

People who were 16–66 years in 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000 who were compulsory members of the Sickness Benefit Scheme

Administrative data from the Norwegian National Sickness Administration

1994, 1996, 1998, 2000

International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC)

Medical certification is required for sick leave > 4 days

Liberal

Dewa et al. [11]

CA (Ontario)

Employees from a large resource sector company from 2003-2006

Administrative sickness absence data

2003-2006

ICD-10

Sickness absence = sickness absence of > 5 continuous work days requiring a medical certificate

Latin America

Barbosa-Branco et al. [32]

BR

All employees registered in private sector jobs in 2008

Administrative data from health service provider

2008

ICD-10

Sickness absence = ≥ 15 consecutive days absent requiring a medical certificate

Reis et al. [30]

BR

Workers from a university hospital who were employed from 2000-2007

Administrative data from health service provider

2000-2007

ICD-10

Not described

Barbosa-Branco et al. [31]

BR

All employees registered in private sector jobs in 2008

National Benefits System and National Social Information Database

2008

ICD-10

Sickness absence = ≥ 15 consecutive days absent requiring a medical certificate