From the Research
Common Causes of Work Disability
The top three most commonly reported causes of work disability are:
- Back/neck problems, reported by 30.3% of respondents 1
- Depression/anxiety/emotional problems, reported by 21.0% of respondents 1
- Arthritis/rheumatism, reported by 18.6% of respondents 1
Musculoskeletal Conditions and Work Disability
Musculoskeletal conditions are among the most common causes of work disability overall and by age- and sex-specific respondents across diagnosed chronic conditions 1
Mental Health and Work Disability
Common mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are associated with reduced labor force participation, degraded employment trajectories, and impaired work performance 2, 3 Comorbid mental disorders pose a high risk for disability pension 2
ICD-10 and Work Disability
The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), is used to classify and code diseases, including those that cause work disability 4, 5 The ICD-10 includes a multiaxial system for evaluating mental and behavioral disorders, which includes axes for clinical syndromes, disabilities, and environmental/circumstantial factors 4
Overweight and Common Mental Disorders
Overweight and common mental disorders are associated with an increased risk of disability retirement, particularly due to musculoskeletal and mental diagnoses 5 The risk of disability retirement is additively higher for individuals with both overweight and common mental disorders 5