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Biomedical subjects

T Bjerkedal

Publications and source records attributed to T Bjerkedal.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Work load, job control and risk of leaving work by sickness certification before delivery, Norway 1989.

Sickness absence in pregnancy has been shown to be associated with strenuous working conditions and parity. So far, few studies have made adjustments for possible interaction and confounding. Such adjustments are needed to more precisely identify targets for preventive measures. We have, therefore, in a representative population of pregnant employees in Norway 1989, computed adjusted odds ratios for leaving work by sickness absence more than three (LSC > 3) and eight (LSC > 8) weeks before delivery according to working conditions identified as risk factors in earlier studies; adjusted for job control, domestic conditions and sickness absence the year prior to pregnancy. The cumulative percentage of LSC > 8 and LSC > 3 was 26.4 and 51.1. Ergonomically strenuous postures and heavy lifting increased the risk of both outcomes. In addition, shift work and hectic work pace increased the risk of LSC > 3. Influence on breaks reduced risk. Only para experienced reduced risk of LSC when working part-time. Sicklisting the year prior to pregnancy had no confounding effect, which suggest that pregnancy represents a new incompatibility with work. Preventive measures should address work postures and heavy lifting, as well as conditions influencing the woman's control with her time.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Job adjustment as a means to reduce sickness absence during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of job adjustment on sickness absence during pregnancy and also determined the conditions under which such adjustments are obtained. METHODS: Data were derived from a nationally representative survey on work conditions during pregnancy in Norway in 1989. For employees (N = 2713) remaining in the same job throughout pregnancy, the percentage of women on sick leave immediately before delivery was determined according to the need for job adjustment and the obtainment of job adjustment. Those obtaining job adjustment were grouped according to workplace size, labor-market sector, co-worker gender, educational level, work schedules, weekly workhours, children under 16 years of age in the household, and age. RESULTS: All told, 1691 women (62.3%) needed job adjustment, among whom 936 (55.4%) obtained such adjustment. The proportions of those on sick leave before delivery were 45.2% for "no need", 67.9% for "need - adjustment obtained", and 79.2% for "need - adjustment not obtained". In the last category, the difference (versus "adjustment obtained") constituted 44.5% of the weeks lost because of sickness absence in the last half of pregnancy. The odds ratio (OR) for obtaining job adjustment was larger for workplaces with more than 50 employees (OR 1.4) and smaller for jobs with work schedules other than daytime or shift work (OR 0.5) and also for women living with children under 16 years of age (OR 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Job adjustment is associated with reduced sickness absence during pregnancy. Further studies should explore workplace characteristics that make it difficult to obtain such adjustments, as required by law.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1996

[Mortality among Norwegian addicts after admission to different types of institutions. A 10-year follow-up study 1985-94].

Ten years after enrollment in six different treatment and rehabilitation facilities in 1984-85, 482 drug addicts (158 women) were followed-up by means of official death records. 97 drug addicts (20%) had died, i.e. an incidence rate of 2.3 per 100 observation years. The incidence rate among those enrolled in psychiatry-oriented institutions was 2.8 for men and 2.0 for women. Among those enrolled in rehabilitation-oriented institutions the corresponding incidence rate was 2.0 and 0.6. The ratio between the incidence rates for the two types of institutions was 1.6 (95% CI 1.0-2.6). Excluding those who were 21 to 25 years of age in 1984-85, the death rate was significantly higher among the drug addicts in psychiatry-oriented institutions than among the addicts at institutions focusing on rehabilitation(relative risk 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.1).

Adult↗
PubMed1996

ICPC as a standard classification in Norway.

BACKGROUND: The International Classification for Primary Care (ICPC) has been the standard classification for diagnoses on sickness certificates and bills for services to the National Insurance Administration in Norway since 1992. Coding according to ICPC is compulsory for all general practitioners. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to describe the introduction of ICPC in Norway, to comment on introduction problems, and to examine the compliance and validity of coding. METHODS: The study was based on statistics for episodes of sickness certification in the National Benefit Absence Register. RESULTS: In 1994, the underlying medical diagnosis was coded in 98% of the sickness absence episodes lasting more than 2 weeks. Component 1 codes (symptom codes) were used in 23% of episodes, compared with 26-31% in practice studies. CONCLUSIONS: ICPC-coded data in a large Norwegian register appear promising. Most doctors do accurate and careful work in coding, and data appear to be of acceptable quality for further analysis. It is a matter of concern, however, that as many as 23% of episodes had component 1 codes, since these certificates were issued during follow-up encounters. The introduction of ICPC coding has enabled researchers to use diagnoses in the analyses of sickness absence. The growing use of ICPC in general practice has made multi-practice studies possible. The introduction of criteria is mandatory for the improvement of validity in diagnostic coding.

Classification↗
PubMed1996

Musculoskeletal pain and smoking in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between musculoskeletal pain and smoking. DESIGN: Cross sectional, national interview survey. SETTING: All individuals in a representative sample of households in Norway in 1985. SUBJECTS: A total of 6681 persons aged 16 to 66 years old. people in institutions were not included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Gender specific and age specific prevalence rates for pain in the cervical region/upper limbs, back, and lower limbs. RESULTS: Current smoking was independently associated with musculoskeletal pain (odds ratio (OR) 1.69; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.45, 1.97) after adjustment for gender, age, comorbidity, mental distress, lifestyle factors, and occupation related factors. The association was of similar strength regarding cervical/upper limb pain (OR 1.87; CI 1.56, 2.25) and back pain (OR 1.84; CI 1.50, 2.25) but weaker in respect of lower limb pain (OR 1.37; CI 1.10, 1.71). Musculoskeletal pain was often present in more than one site. CONCLUSION: Smoking was significantly associated with musculoskeletal pain after adjustment for other relevant factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Fertility patterns according to occupational grouping in Norway, 1989.

In the early 1990s, most pregnant women in Norway were in gainful employment. This led to increased interest in the possible consequences for reproductive health, and a growing concern for the need to accommodate the pregnancy. We have therefore investigated how accurately general fertility rates predict the number of pregnancies in the workforce. Fertility rates (FR) among employed women and standardized fertility ratios (SFR) in occupational groups were estimated on the basis of information from the Labour Market Statistics and the national survey "Pregnancy and Work", Norway, 1989. The fertility rate among employed women was 17% higher than the general fertility rate. Two occupational groups had significantly different SFRs: technical/professional workers (SFR 118) and transport/communication workers (SFR 82). In addition, differences were found for parity-specific SFRs in administrative/executive work (SFR nullipara 80, SFR para 125) and service work (SFR nullipara 114, SFR para 80). We suggest that work status and occupation should be included among the variables registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, in order to facilitate routine presentations of fertility rates and pregnancy outcomes for women in paid work. The results further indicate that work-specific conditions influence first-birth fertility. This should be explored in demographic studies of the relation between women's fertility and participation in paid work.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Smoking in pregnancy: a way to cope with excessive workload?

OBJECTIVE: To examine if abstention from smoking in pregnancy increases with opportunities to limit workload. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study based on self-administered questionnaires to women post partum. SETTING: All maternity wards in Norway, 16 October-26 November 1989. SUBJECTS: 5 438 women, or 87.2% of all parturients in Norway during the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The abstention fraction (AF) defined as percentage of nonsmokers in pregnancy among prepregnancy daily smokers. RESULTS: The abstention fraction was lower for women with lack of influence on work pace, with hectic work pace, exhaustion after work or work schedules other than daytime, for women with children <16 years of age in the household, and for women in paid work with 20 hours or more of housework weekly, than for women without these conditions. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for abstention were low for women with children <16 years both when in paid work (OR 0.4) and as housewives (OR 0.3). Women who received extra help with housework had a high abstention fraction (OR 1.6) both when in paid work and as housewives. The abstention fraction was high for women with daytime work (OR 1.5) and low with hectic work pace (OR 0.7), compared with women without these conditions. CONCLUSION: Abstention from smoking in pregnancy increases with opportunities to limit total workload.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

[Disability pensions because of musculoskeletal diseases among women of different occupations].

Altogether 9,516 women, 16-67 years of age, were granted a disability pension in Norway in 1993. Musculoskeletal disease was registered as the main diagnosis for 3,730. Employment status is known for 3,125 of these 3,730 women. Analyses, based on age standardized incidence rates--SIR's, pointed to shop assistants, practical nurses and charladies as the three major occupational groups with high risk of being disability pensioned because of musculoskeletal disease. These three occupations accounted for more than one third of all women in paid employment who were granted a disability pension for musculoskeletal disease 1993. Compensation will amount to about NOK 600 million before these women reach the normal retirement age of 67 years. Prevention of musculoskeletal diseases in the labour force would appear to be potentially cost-effective. So far, prevention of work-related musculoskeletal diseases has focused mainly on the technical ergonomic aspects of the working conditions. It is recommended that more attention be given to organizational aspects, such as daily hours of work, the timing and duration of breaks, work pace and potential to influence one's own work situation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[The extent of disability pensions based on educational background. Disability pensions in the period 1967-1992 in a group born 1949 in Bergen].

The authors discuss recruitment to disability pension in groups of former pupils of different types of school in the school system in Bergen in the 1950s. The study is based on a cohort of 1,570 persons, all live births from 1940 of the mothers then residing in Bergen. This birth-cohort was followed up in the school system in Bergen at the age of 14 years and up to the end of 1992. Information on disability pensions was extracted from the files of the National Insurance Administration for the years 1967-92. The prevalence of disability pension of former pupils of different types of school reached a peak at the end of 1992, i.e. at the age of 52 years, as follows: Former pupils of the regular secondary schools, i.e. junior high school and continuation school, 6.8% and 12.7% respectively, former pupils of elementary school classes for slow learners 25.9%, of special schools for the educable mentally retarded 59.6% and for those receiving the services for the mentally retarded, 100%.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1994

[Use of disability pensions. Disability pensions from 1967 to 1992 in a group from Bergen born in 1940].

The authors describe the medical conditions (expressed by ICD-codes) leading to a disability pension in a cohort of 1,570 persons born in the year 1940. Information on disability pensions was extracted from the files of the National Insurance Administration for the years 1967-92. The disability diagnoses varied during the period 1967-92. Diagnoses during the first years reflect conditions that caused disability of young persons. Later on, diagnoses of "traditional" mental and organic diseases were used. Gradually other diagnoses, including alcoholism also appeared. This was a consequence of a broadening in the 1970s of the medical criteria for occupational disability. In recent years, disability diagnoses related to unspecific conditions are seen, particularly diagnoses reflecting symptoms associated with the musculosceletal system. These disability diagnoses were used in the case of about 30% of the women in the cohort who became new pensioners during the period 1988-92.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1994

[Oligophrenia as a disability diagnosis. Disability pensions in the period 1967-1992 in a group from Bergen born in 1940].

The authors discuss the use of unspecified oligophrenia as a diagnosis for disability pension, and draw attention to unrecognized oligophrenia. The study is based on a cohort of 1,570 persons, comprising all live births from 1940 of the mothers then residing in Bergen. The cohort was followed up in the school system in Bergen at age 14 years, again at age 30 years (1971) and up to the end of 1992. Relevant information on disability pensions was extracted from the files of the National Insurance Administration. The results of medical and psychological examinations in 1971 of a random sample of the cohort are also included. In the cohort 180 persons became new pensioners during the years 1967-92. Of these 10.6% were diagnosed as disable due to oligophrenia. In the sample 69.6% of the IQ-group 55-69 were receiving a disability pension, two thirds with a diagnosis of oligophrenia. In the IQ-group 70-84, 46.4% had a disability pension, one third with the diagnosis oligophrenia. These findings suggest that the use of oligophrenia as a disability diagnosis is less frequent than the prevalence of oligophrenia would in fact seem to justify.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Basic and attendance benefits to children--extent and medical causes].

Basic benefit and attendance benefit to children in Norway have increased substantially in recent years. In 1992 more than 2% of children 0-15 years of age received benefits totalling NOK 350 million. The main reason for the increase seems to be that more and more children are suffering from allergic diseases, like asthma and eczema. Cohort analyses give reason to believe that allergic diseases among children will continue to increase in the years to come. Ways of dealing with the problem have recently been proposed in a publication from the health authorities. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of programmes that are implemented, a monitoring system has been suggested based on a current analysis of the prevalence of children who receive basic and attendance benefits because of allergic diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Fibromyalgia--a new cause for disability pension.

Fibromyalgia is a condition under dispute. Accepted by some as a major step forward in understanding some of the patients with widespread muscular pain, looked upon as a confusing side step by others. In 1988 fibromyalgia was by far the most frequent single diagnosis as a reason for disability pension in Norway. Disability statistics however show big differences between counties. Two neighbouring counties had among the lowest and the highest incidence of disability pensioners with the diagnosis fibromyalgia. New pensioners with fibromyalgia and some closely related diagnoses have been studied during the year 1988 by means of reading the insurance records. It became apparent that the difference between the two counties with respect to the incidence of fibromyalgia as a cause of disability pension could be explained by differences in diagnostic setting by the doctors and difference in the assessment from the insurance system, rather than real differences in morbidity pattern. Complaints from the musculoskeletal system is frequent and increasing in the population both as a reason for sick leave and disability pension. Whether this complicated and challenging situation is made more easy to handle by defining a subgroup of those persons as having "fibromyalgia" is questioned.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Medical birth registries a gold mine for research].

Systematic monthly monitoring of the occurrence of congenital abnormalities has been practised in Norway since 1971, and has made important contributions in the field of perinatal epidemiology. The registry would also be a unique source of data for generation studies of reproductive outcome. Hitherto, little advantage has been taken of the possible uses of the registry for research into factors of importance to children's development, health and function. Important contributions can be made by using the registry in conjunction with other relevant registers within the health and social sectors. A research co-operation between the birth registers in the five Nordic countries was established in 1970.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1992

[How is it going with the Sick-listing II patients? From the project Evaluation of Follow-up of Long-term Sick-listed Persons].

The aim of the study was to follow up 712 persons with respect to social insurance and labour market status one year after the start of a period of long-term sickness certificate. The study is based on information from the local National Insurance Offices in five municipalities in Norway. Mean duration of the long-term sickness certificate was 185 calendar days, slightly longer for males than females. 44.9% returned to work during the first year, another 2.9% attended vocational rehabilitation programmes, 11.7% were still receiving medical treatment, 12.2% had qualified for a disability pension, 5.6% were in receipt of an old age pension and 5.6% were unemployed. The remaining 17.1% had either died or had moved from the municipality. The few patients attending vocational rehabilitation programmes, compared with the increasing number of persons granted a disability pension in Norway since 1985 indicate insufficient effort to provide vocational rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Coronary risk factors in middle-aged men as related to smoking, coffee intake and physical activity.

The relationship between lifestyle and coronary risk factors in blood was investigated in 165 middle-aged men. Plasma fibrinogen, serum triacylglycerols (TG), and apolipoprotein B (apo B) were higher, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) lower in smokers (n = 69) than in non-smokers (n = 96). By linear regression analysis there was a significant positive association between degree of smoking and either total cholesterol (TC), apo B, or plasma fibrinogen, whereas smoking was inversely related to HDLc. Smoking and coffee intake were positively correlated with an atherogenic index, reflecting the balance between low and high density lipoproteins. Sedentary men (n = 59) had higher mean TC, apo B, and atherogenic index than physically active men (n = 104). Smokers used salt more often than non-smokers. Physically active men used vegetables more often than sedentary men. Combining several habits into a "bad habit" score gave a high level of significance for its association with TC, apo B, and the atherogenic index. The results indicate that lifestyle may influence several blood factors involved in atherosclerosis development.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Chronic muscular pain. A 7-year follow-up of the insurance status of 87 women].

A total of 87 women admitted to The national rehabilitation center in Oslo in 1981 because of long-lasting pain have been followed up for seven years with respect to disability pensions. Nearly 53% were registered as receiving pensions. No significant difference was found between women who had been treated by public health service with purely individual medical measures and women who, in addition, had also received treatment in the working environment. Background variables which seem to have predictive value for a subsequent disability pension are older age, long-lasting state of pain, a long period of unemployment and receipt of rehabilitation benefits. The conclusion is that traditional methods are not enough, and we emphasize the importance of introducing special measures for persons who empirically have the greater chance of ending up with a disability pension.

Adult↗