Background and Aim: Diabetes has been associated with considerable work disability, but different risks of disability have not been assessed systematically among people with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). This study evaluated risks of long-term sickness absence (LTSA), unemployment, return to work and disability pension in individuals with T1D or T2D.

Method: We observed individuals with T1D (n=431), T2D (n=4,047) and without diabetes (n=101,295) in Danish national registers of health, work and social benefits from 1994 -2011. In a multi-state model, Cox proportional analyses estimated hazard ratios (95% Confidence Intervals) of each transition between work, LTSA, unemployment and disability pension. Analyses were performed separately for men and women.

Results: Compared to people without diabetes, women and men with T1D and T2D had significantly higher hazard ratios of LTSA and disability pension (Table 1). Except for women with T1D we observed significantly higher risks of unemployment. Women with T2D had significantly lower chances of returning to work from LTSA or unemployment.

Conclusions: People with T1D and T2D have elevated risks of temporary and permanent work disability. Future studies should include all work-related outcomes to avoid underestimating the burden of living with T1D and T2D.
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Disclosure

M.A. Nexo: None. J. Pedersen: None. B. Cleal: None. J.B. Bjorner: Employee; Self; Optum Patient Insights.

© 2019 by the American Diabetes Association.
2019
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