Table I.
Group comparisons, follow-up periods and clinical end points for which rate ratios were to be estimated according to the study protocol.
| Comparison | Follow-up period | Clinical end point |
|---|---|---|
| People exposed to long-term sickness absence (LTSA) due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) vs. people in the standard population | 1 February 2010–31 December 2015 | Redeemed prescription for antidepressant drugs (ATC-code N06A) or psychiatric hospital treatment with a depressive mood disorder (ICD-10: F32–F33) as principal diagnosis |
| Same as above | Same as above | Redeemed prescription for antidepressant drugs (ATC-code N06A) |
| Same as above | Same as above | Psychiatric hospital treatment with a depressive mood disorder (ICD-10: F32–F33) as principal diagnosis |
| LTSA due to MSD in severity category 1 a vs. the standard population | 26 April 2010–31 December 2015 | Redeemed prescription for antidepressant drugs (ATC-code N06A) or psychiatric hospital treatment with a depressive mood disorder (ICD-10: F32–F33) as principal diagnosis |
| LTSA due to MSD in severity category 2–3 vs. LTSA due to MSD in severity category 1 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Exposed vs. not exposed to self-rated musculoskeletal pain in the neck, shoulders, elbow, forearm, hand or lower back | 1 January 2011–31 December 2015 | Same as above |
a
At the first consultation with the sickness benefit office, the sick-listed person is classified into one of the following severity categories: (a) likely to return to the labour force within three months, (b) unlikely to return to the labour force within three months but able to participate in activities aimed at facilitating a return or (c) unlikely to return to the labour force within three months and unable to participate in activities.