Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Risk factors of recurrent sickness absence due to depression: a two-year cohort study among Japanese employees

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Depression has a high recurrence rate among employees. There have been few studies investigating risk factors for recurrent sickness absence due to depression after return to work (RTW). The objective of this study was to identify potential risk factors.

Methods

Subjects were 540 full-time employees at the biggest telecommunication company in Japan who returned to work from April 2002 to March 2008 after their first leave of absence due to depression. The Cox proportional hazard model was employed to find risk factors for recurrent sickness absence by analyzing variables including demographic, work-related and work environmental factors.

Results

Of 540 study subjects, 200 employees (37.0 %) experienced recurrent sickness absence due to depression after RTW within the follow-up period. Higher organizational job demand evaluated by the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) was found to be a risk factor (OR 1.46, 95 % CI 1.01–2.10) for recurrent sickness absence due to depression adjusted for confounding factors.

Conclusions

High organizational job demand (evaluated by BJSQ) is a risk factor for recurrent sickness absence due to depression after RTW.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arends I, Klink JJ, Bültmann U (2010) Prevention of recurrent sickness absence among employees with common mental disorders: design of a cluster-randomised controlled trial with cost-benefit and effectiveness evaluation. BMC Public Health 10:132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arends I, van der Klink JJL, van Rhenen W, de Boer MR, Bultmann U (2013) Predictors of recurrent sickness absence among workers having returned to work after sick leave due to common mental disorders. Scand J Work Environ Health. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3384

    Google Scholar 

  • Bijl RV, Ravelli A, van Zessen G (1998) Prevalence of psychiatric disorder in the general population: results of The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 33(12):587–595

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bock C, Bukh JD, Vinberg M, Gether U, Kessing LV (2009) Validity of the diagnosis of a single depressive episode in a case register. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 5:4. doi:10.1186/1745-0179-5-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burcusa SL, Iacono WG (2007) Risk for recurrence in depression. Clin Psycho Rev 27(8):959–985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Croon E, Blonk RW, de Zwart BC, Frings-Dresen MH, Broersen JP (2002) Job stress, fatigue, and job dissatisfaction in Dutch lorry drivers: towards an occupation specific model of job demands and control. Occup Environ Med 59:356–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Jonge J, van Vegchel N, Shimazu A, Schaufeli W, Dormann C (2010) A longitudinal test of the demand-control model using specific job demands and specific job control. Int J Behav. Med 17(2):125–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeSanto Iennaco J, Cullen MR, Cantley L, Slade MD, Fiellin M, Kasl SV (2010) Effects of externally rated job demand and control on depression diagnosis claims in an industrial cohort. Am J Epidemiol 171(3):303–311. doi:10.1093/aje/kwp359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton WW, Anthony JC, Gallo J, Cai G, Tien A, Romanoski A et al (1997) Natural history of diagnostic interview schedule/DSM-IV major depression. The baltimore epidemiologic catchment Area follow-up. Arch Gen Psychiatry 54(11):993–999

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton WW, Shao H, Nestadt G, Lee HB, Bienvenu OJ, Zandi P (2008) Population-based study of first onset and chronicity in major depressive disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry 65(5):513–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Endo M, Haruyama Y, Muto T, Yuhara M, Asada K, Kato R (2013) Recurrence of sickness absence due to depression after returning to work at a Japanese IT company. Ind Health 51:165–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardeveld F, Spijker J, Graaf RD, Nolen WA, Beekman ATF (2013) Recurrence of major depressive disorder and its predictors in the general population: results from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). Psychol Med 43(1):39–48

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hensing G, Wahlström R (2004) Swedish council on technology assessment in health care (SBU). Chapter 7. Sickness absence and psychiatric disorders. Scand J Public Health 32(63):152–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inoue A, Kawakami N, Haratani T, Kobayashi T, Ishizaki M, Hayashi T et al (2010) Job stressors and long-term sick leave due to depressive disorders among Japanese male employees: finding from the Japan Work Stress and Health Cohort study. J Epidemiol Community Health 64(3):229–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishizaki M, Kawakami N, Honda R, Nakagawa H, Morikawa Y, Yamada Y (2006) The Japan work stress and health cohort study group. Psychosocial work characteristics and sickness absence in Japanese employees. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 79(8):640–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawakami N (2007) Epidemiology of depressive disorders in Japan and the world. Nippon Rinsho 65(9):1578–1584 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawakami N, Kobayashi F, Araki S, Haratani T, Furui H (1995) Assessment of job stress dimensions based on the job demands-control model of employees of telecommunication and electric power companies in Japan: reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the job content questionnaire. Int J Behav Med 2(4):358–375

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kawakami N, Takao S, Kobayashi Y, Tsutsumi A (2006) Effects of web-based supervisor training on job stressors and psychological distress among workers: a workplace-based randomized controlled trial. J Occup Health 48(1):28–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O, Jin R, Koretz D, Merikangas KR et al (2003) The epidemiology of major depressive disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). JAMA 289(23):3095–3105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knudsen AK, Harvey SB, Mykletun A, Overland S (2012) Common mental disorders and long-term sickness absence in a general working population. The Hordaland Health Study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 127(4):287–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kondo K, Kobayashi Y, Hirokawa K, Tsutsumi A, Kobayashi F, Haratani T et al (2006) Job strain and sick leave among Japanese employees: a longitudinal study. Int Arch Occup Envion Health 79(3):213–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koopmans PC, Roelen CA, Groothoff JW (2008) Risk of future sickness absence in frequent and long-term absentees. Occup Med(Lond) 58(4):268–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koopmans PC, Roelen CA, Bültmann U, Hoedeman R, van der Klink JJ, Groothoff JW (2010) Gender and age differences in the recurrence of sickness absence due to common mental disorders: a longitudinal study. BMC Public Health 10:426. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koopmans PC, Bultmann U, Roelen CA, Hoedeman R, Klink J, Groothoff JW (2011) Recurrence of sickness absence due to common mental disorders. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84:193–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lexis MA, Jansen NW, van Amelsvoort LG, Huibers MJ, Berkouwer A, Tjin A, Ton G et al (2012) Prediction of long-term sickness absence among employees with depressive complaints. J Occup Rehabil 22:262–269

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magee C, Stefanic N, Caputi P, Ivarson D (2011) Occupational factors and sick leave in Australian employees. JOEM 53(6):627–632

    Google Scholar 

  • Maj M, Veltro F, Pirozzi R, Lobrace S, Magliano L (1992) Pattern of recurrence of illness after recovery from an episode of major depression: a prospective study. Am J Psychiatry 149(6):795–800

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller TI, Leon AC, Keller MB, Solomon DA, Endicott J, Coryell W et al (1999) Recurrence after recovery from major depressive disorder during 15 years of observational follow-up. Am J Psychiatry 156(7):1000–1006

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muto T, Sumiyoshi Y, Sawada S, Momotani H, Itoh I, Fukuda H et al (1999) Sickness absence due to mental disorder in Japanese workforce. Ind Health 37:243–252

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen ML, Rugulies R, Smith-Hansen L, Christensen KB, Kristensen TS (2006) Psychosocial work environment and registered absence from work: estimating the etiologic fraction. Am J Ind Med 49(3):187–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norder G, Roelen CA, van Rhenen W, Buitenhuis J, Bultmann U, Anema JR (2012) Predictors of recurrent sickness absence due to depressive disorders: a Delphi approach involving scientists and physicians. PLoS ONE 7(12):e51792. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051792

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okumura Y, Higuchi T (2011) Cost of depression among adults in Japan. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 13(3). pii: PCC.10m01082. doi: 10.4088/PCC.10m01082

  • Pintor L, Torres X, Navarro V, Matrai S, Gastó C (2004) Is the type of remission after a major depressive episode an important risk factor to relapses in a 4-year follow up? J Affect Disord 82(2):291–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roelen CA, Koopmans PC, de Graaf JH, van Zandbergen JW, Groothoff JW (2007) Job demands, health perception and sickness absence. Occup Med 57:499–504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roelen CA, Koopmans PC, Anema JR, van der Beek AJ (2010) Recurrence of medically certificated sickness absence according to diagnosis: a sickness absence register study. J Occup Rehabil 20:113–121

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roelen CA, Koopmans PC, Schreuder JA, Anema JR, van der Beek AJ (2011) The history of registered sickness absence predicts future sickness absence. Occup Med 61(2):96–101

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shimomitsu T, Ohno H, Maruta T, Tanigawa T (2000). Investigation research report concerning prevention of disease related to work in 1997 the Ministry of labor: stress measurement research group report (in Japanese)

  • Simpson HB, Nee JC, Endicott J (1997) First-episode major depression. Few sex differences in course. Arch Gen Psychiatry 54(7):633–639

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takada M, Suzuki A, Shima S, Inoue K, Kazukawa S, Hojoh M (2009) Association between lifestyle factors, working environment, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation: a large-scale study in Japan. Ind Health 47:649–655

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2005) Manual of evaluating stress in work environment using brief job stress questionnaire. (Syokugyousei Stress Kanni Tyousahyou wo Motiita Stress no genjou haaku no tameno mannual) (in Japanese)

  • Tsutsumi A, Kayaba K, Ojima T, Ishikawa S, Kawakami N et al (2007) Low control at work and the risk of suicide in Japanese men: a prospective cohort study. Psychother Psychosom 76(3):177–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Weel-Baumgarten E, van der Bosch W, van der Hoogen H, Zitman FG (1998) Ten year follow-up of depression after diagnosis in general practice. Br J General Practice 48:1643–1646

    Google Scholar 

  • Virtanen M, Kawachi I, Oksanen T, Salo P, Tuisku K, Pulkki-Raback L, Pentti J, Elovainio M, Vahtera J, Kivimaki M (2011) Socio-economic differences in long-term psychiatric work disability: prospective cohort study of onset, recovery and recurrence. Occup Environ Med 2011(68):791–798

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vlasveld MC, Anema JR, Beekman AT, van Mechelen W, Hoedeman R, van Marwijk HW et al (2008) Multidisciplinary collaborative care for depressive disorder in the occupational health setting: design of a randomized controlled trial and cost-effectiveness study. BMC Health Serv Res 8:99. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-8-99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2000) World Health Report 2000

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by all the staff of the Metropolitan Health Administration Center, NTT East and the Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan

    M. Endo, T. Muto, Y. Haruyama, T. Sairenchi & R. Kato

  2. Metropolitan Health Administration Center, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation, 5-9-22, Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa, Tokyo, 141-0022, Japan

    M. Endo & M. Yuhara

Authors
  1. M. Endo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Muto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Y. Haruyama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Yuhara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. T. Sairenchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Kato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Endo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Endo, M., Muto, T., Haruyama, Y. et al. Risk factors of recurrent sickness absence due to depression: a two-year cohort study among Japanese employees. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 88, 75–83 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0939-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0939-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation